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Designed to allow foster children to live a more “normal” life by protecting foster parents from punitive damages when they allow their foster child to participate in age-appropriate activities. This legislation was developed in partnership with the Texas Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

Expands the use of the existing Child Safety Check Alert List, allows the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to locate missing children during an investigation into abuse or neglect.

Seeks to establish a clear command structure in future public health emergencies, guaranteeing hospitals, medical workers, and first responders access to the necessary tools to effectively handle the next infectious disease outbreak.

Requires all freestanding emergency rooms to display clear and accurate information about their charges and fees, and disclose to consumers that any charges incurred are generally comparable to those of a traditional hospital emergency room.

Requires all state contractors and subcontractors to utilize the federal E-Verify system to determine the legal work status of their employees.

Requires the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to revoke the license of any nursing facility with three or more serious health and safety violations. These high-level violations are defined as those that “have caused, or are likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment, or death.”

Provides the state with more options to protect community hospitals from closure as a result of fraud or mismanagement by a corrupt hospital administrator.

Offers student loan repayment assistance for psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, psychiatric mental health advanced practice nurses, and clinical social workers who agree to provide direct care to underserved Texans.

Aims to cap college tuition and fees at their current levels while limiting any future increases to no more than the rate of inflation.

Department of Family Protective Services (Sunset Bill) – proposes a number of sweeping reforms and operational changes to the state agency charged with overseeing Child Protective Services (CPS) and the state foster care system.