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SB2069

Regular Session

Relating to the establishment of a work group to conduct a study on the feasibility of implementing an acute psychiatric bed registry.

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
SB2069
Low
Relating to the establishment of a work group to conduct a study on the feasibility of implementing an acute psychiatric bed registry.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
HHSC
Primary Author: Sen. Judith Zaffirini
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: Q4 2025 (Strategic Deadline). While there is no operational compliance date, facilities must submit nominations for work group appointment immediately following the effective date to influence future standards.
  • Agency Rulemaking: HHSC is not required to issue compliance rules immediately. However, the agency must appoint work group members "as soon as practicable" after Sept 1, 2025. The work group’s findings, due November 1, 2027, will dictate the regulatory framework for the 91st Legislature.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Monitor HHSC Appointments: Assign regulatory staff to watch the HHSC website in September 2025 for the work group application portal.
  • 2. Nominate Representation: Aggressively pursue appointment to the work group, specifically for the seats designated for "private hospitals," "rural hospitals," or "inpatient mental health facilities."
  • 3. Conduct IT Audit: Direct your CIO to determine if your current EHR can export bed census data via API. If not, pause long-term EHR renewals until the registry standards are clearer (post-2027).
  • 4. Define "Capacity": Internally document your facility's definition of "operational capacity" (staffing + acuity + physical bed) to prepare data for the work group's feasibility analysis.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

No immediate amendments required. However, General Counsels should review current Master Services Agreements (MSAs) with EHR vendors (e.g., Epic, Cerner). You must determine if your current contract includes provisions for API integration or HL7/FHIR interoperability updates without excessive penalty fees, as the registry will likely rely on these standards.

Hiring/Training

No immediate hiring required. IT Directors and Admissions Coordinators should be tasked with assessing current bed-tracking latency. If your facility currently relies on manual spreadsheets or whiteboards for bed management, you are not prepared for the "real-time" automated reporting this study aims to implement.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

No new filings are currently required. The bill establishes a study, not a registry. Do not alter patient intake or discharge reporting workflows at this time.

Fees & Costs

No immediate fees. The fiscal note anticipates no significant fiscal implication to the State or local governments. However, private facilities should budget for potential future IT integration costs based on the standards the work group recommends in 2027.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

The legislation leaves critical definitions to the work group, which will determine future liability:

  • 1. "Available Bed" Definition: The statute does not distinguish between a *physically* empty bed and a *staffed* bed. If the registry tracks physical beds without accounting for staffing ratios, facilities risk EMTALA violations and "patient dumping" accusations if they refuse a registry-indicated "open" bed due to staff shortages.
  • 2. "Expedite Entry of Data": The bill seeks mechanisms to expedite data entry but does not define the timeframe (e.g., real-time vs. daily). A "real-time" requirement would necessitate expensive automated software integration, whereas a "daily" requirement allows for manual entry.
  • 3. Incentives vs. Mandates: The study must evaluate "financial incentives" alongside "regulatory mechanisms." It is unclear if future participation will be tied to Medicaid reimbursement rates or simply mandated by licensure penalty.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Mar 7, 2025
Passed Senate
May 1, 2025
Passed House
May 23, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsGovernorHospitalsInterim StudiesMental Health & Substance AbuseLieutenant GovernorMedical Care FacilitiesSpeaker of the HouseHealth & Human Services Commission
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDemocrat · Primary Author
Coauthors (1)

House Sponsors

Rep. Hubert VoDemocrat · Primary Sponsor
Joint Sponsors

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB2069

Q

What does Texas SB2069 do?

SB2069 mandates the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to conduct a feasibility study and establish a work group regarding a statewide acute psychiatric bed registry. While this bill creates no immediate reporting mandates for hospitals or mental health facilities, it initiates the critical design phase for future interoperability standards and mandatory bed-tracking regulations likely to be enacted in the 2029 legislative session. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: Q4 2025 (Strategic Deadline).

Q

Who authored SB2069?

SB2069 was authored by Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB2069 signed into law?

SB2069 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB2069?

SB2069 is enforced by Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

Q

How urgent is compliance with SB2069?

The compliance urgency for SB2069 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB2069?

The cost impact of SB2069 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB2069 address?

SB2069 addresses topics including governor, hospitals, interim studies, mental health & substance abuse and lieutenant governor.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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