Texas disability facility reforms complete after decades-long federal case
Justice Department asks court to dismiss long-running case after state implements changes
(KWTX) — The United States Department of Justice asked a federal court Tuesday to dismiss a case that required Texas to reform 13 state facilities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Civil Rights Division said Texas successfully completed years of court-ordered changes designed to protect residents from harm and provide better clinical care and education services, according to the United States Department of Justice.
“We commend Texas for its tremendous progress in implementing this decree and its commitment to upholding the federal rights of people with intellectual disabilities living in state care,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said.
The case began with a Justice Department investigation of Lubbock State School in 2005. Federal officials investigated the remaining 12 state-run centers in 2008 and 2009, the United States Department of Justice reported.
The United States and Texas entered a consent decree in June 2009, which the court approved. The parties modified the agreement in September 2021, according to the United States Department of Justice.
The decree required Texas to protect residents from harm, provide clinical care and education, and offer services in integrated community settings. An independent reviewer verified the state’s compliance with the requirements, the United States Department of Justice confirmed.
Dhillon praised the dedication of staff and leaders at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for transforming the state centers.
The joint filing details extensive facility improvements made by the state over several years of collaboration with the Civil Rights Division, according to the United States Department of Justice.
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