Get Involved in the TSHL, Run for a Seat in Your Silver District!
Promote Good
Government
Motivate, educate, and engage older Texans to get involved in the legislative process.
Encourage
Voice
Inform and educate other senior Texans to use their voices to make a difference.
Become a
Resource
Teach others about issues and concerns about aging.
How you can Make a Difference
Older Texans are the fastest growing segment of the state’s population. Senate Concurrent Resolution 37, passed in 1985 by the Texas Senate, recognized that. They also acknowledged the increased need for the understanding and participation of Texas’ older citizens in helping develop state policies through the legislative process.
Texas Silver-Haired Legislature (TSHL) is a “model legislative session” which enables older Texans to initiate and debate policies that affect their peers. The Senate and House concurrently support the work of a biennial Texas Silver-Haired Legislature.
The State of Texas authorized and supports the development of the TSHL by providing the house chamber, Capitol facilities, and staff. S.C.R. No. 37 requires that TSHL publish a biennial Legislative Report of recommendations to the Texas Legislature as a resource for the law-making process. Since authorization of the TSHL, more than 275 laws have been directly influenced by TSHL recommendations.
Our focus is to help older Texans lead healthier, safer, happier, and more independent lives. Through TSHL, you can make a difference!
20th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature’s
Top 10 Resolutions for the Texas Legislature
Resolution One: Child-Related Income Follows the Child – SL60
Resolution Two: Establish Full-Practice Authority for APRNs – SL45
Resolution Three: Provide State Funding Parity to Kinship Caregivers – SL54
Resolution Four: Increase the Common Provider Meal Rate for Home-Delivered Meals – SL18
Resolution Five: Improve Access to Healthcare in Rural Texas for Older Texans – SL46
Resolution Six: Criminalization of Squatters – SL08
Resolution Seven: Improve Readability of Application and Vote-by-Mail Documentation – SL58
Resolution Eight: Enact Laws for the Well-Regulated Legalization of Medical Cannabis – SL04
Resolution Nine: Improve Prescription Drug Labeling for Older Texans – SL09
Resolution Ten: Call for Citizen Vote to Expand Medicaid in Texas – SL57
TSHL Legislative Spotlight
Significant Laws Passed Coming from Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Resolutions
• Implementing the Texas Silver Alert System
• City, county, and community college district tax freezes on homesteads of aging and disabled Texans
• Public school property tax reduction for aging and disabled homeowners
• Pension soundness for retired teachers and state employees
• Rural broadband expansion
• Access to telemedicine and teledentistry
• Stronger criminal penalties for elder abuse
• Prohibit the use of eminent domain authority for private gain
• Increased personal needs allowance for Medicaid nursing home residents
• Capped malpractice lawsuits awarded by juries to $250,000 for non-economic damages
• Increased rate for home-delivered meals
• Authorize benefit counselors of Area Agencies on Aging to assist their clients in preparing their advance directives
• Require criminal background check of employees and applicants at facilities serving older Texans. No contact with patients until criminal background check is completed