June 24, 2015 |

Texas governor signs ‘three strikes’ bill to improve nursing home oversight

A law aimed at improving nursing home regulations was signed into law last week in Texas. Senate Bill 304 was sponsored by state Sen. Charles Schwertner and signed by Governor Greg Abbott, according to Concho Valley.

“Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature have taken an important step toward providing much-needed improvements in the way the state oversees nursing homes," AARP Texas Director Bob Jackson said in a statement to Concho Valley. "Senate Bill 304 expresses a clear intent that the state will not tolerate abuse or neglect of nursing home residents in homes licensed by the state."

This bill has also been called the "Three Strikes Rule" bill because it requires the state's department of aging and disability services to revoke the operating licenses of nursing homes that have been cited for the most severe violations three times in 24 months. It will take effect Sept. 1, 2016.

Megan Combs

Megan Combs was Associate Editor of I Advance Senior Care / Long Term Living from 2013-2018.