Bill > SB699

This bill establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for inpatient rehabilitation facilities in Texas, named the Eddie Bernice Johnson Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Regulatory Act of 2025. The legislation introduces a new chapter in the Health and Safety Code that defines inpatient rehabilitation facilities as freestanding establishments or units within acute care hospitals or assisted living facilities that provide at least three hours of intense rehabilitation services per day. The bill mandates that these facilities obtain a license from the Health and Human Services Commission, which will involve a rigorous application process that evaluates the background and qualifications of the facility's owners, managers, and controlling persons. The legislation outlines detailed requirements for licensing, including initial probationary licenses, renewal processes, and potential grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of licenses. It establishes comprehensive standards for facility operations, including patient care, safety, staffing, and medical practices, and creates a system of administrative and civil penalties for violations. The bill also introduces a grading system for facilities, allows for unannounced inspections, and provides mechanisms for facilities to correct violations. Notably, the law will not require facilities to obtain licenses until September 1, 2026, giving them time to prepare for the new regulatory environment, with the act taking effect on September 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB699