Senate OKs ‘3 strikes’ plan to revoke nursing home licenses

The Texas Senate has approved a plan to revoke licenses of nursing homes authorities cite for resident abuse or neglect violations three times in a two-year period.

The so-called “3 strikes” proposal by Republican Sen. Charles Schwertner of Georgetown passed 30-0 Monday. It now heads to the House.

Schwertner drafted the bill after a state report found that the Department of Aging and Disability Services issued nearly 19,000 violations against nursing homes in fiscal year 2013 – but took only 11 enforcement actions.

His plan also would allow the Health and Human Services Commission to hire a nonprofit to adjudicate some disputes involving nursing homes that challenge state-issued violations.

That would allow for state staff cuts, which would offset higher costs associated with pulling more nursing homes’ licenses.