SB 1310 – Senior Housing Regulations

SB 1310 imposes new mandates on privately operated senior living communities by requiring them to develop and maintain state-regulated emergency response plans. While framed as a safety measure, this bill opens the door for increased state involvement in private housing arrangements and introduces compliance costs for operators. These costs will likely be passed down to residents in the form of higher rent or fees, burdening seniors on fixed incomes. The bill also establishes vague expectations and requirements regarding food, water, and staffing during emergencies. Although some original regulatory overreach—like civil penalties and HHSC filings—was removed in the substitute version, the legislation still expands government’s role into previously unregulated private housing. It creates a precedent for further micromanaging housing contracts and facility operations. A better approach would encourage voluntary best practices without expanding state oversight. From a limited government standpoint, this bill represents regulatory creep and interference that could do more harm than good to seniors and taxpayers alike.