“Aging is Cool; Everybody’s Doing it!”
That’s Why We’re Improving the Lives of Older Texans
It’s our vision that the applied wisdom, energy, and experience of aging will improve the lives of all Texans through education, knowledge, and involvement in legislation and governmental affairs.
Join Us and Get Involved in the TSHL!
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 officially recognizes the work TSHL does by providing facilities, and uses our biennial Legislative Report as a resource in the law-making process. Since the inception of the TSHL, more than 200 laws have been directly influenced by TSHL Recommendations.
Our mission is to help older Texans lead healthier, safer, happier, and more independent lives. Through TSHL, you can make a difference!
19th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature’s
Top 10 Resolutions for the Texas Legislature
Resolution One: Increase the Personal Needs Allowance for Medicaid Residents in Nursing Homes
Resolution Two: Child-Related Income Follows the Child.
Resolution Three: Increase the Readability of the Application and Vote-by-Mail Documentation to Reduce the Rejection Rate.
Resolution Four: Authorize TRS to Provide A Cost-Of-Living Adjustment To Teacher Retirement System Retirees.
Resolution Five: Require a Criminal Background Check for CNAs and LVNs in Nursing Homes and Home Health Companies.
Resolution Six: Authorize a 13th Month Annuity Payment to Employees Retirement System (ERS) Retirees.
Resolution Seven: Amend Family Code To Provide For A Grandparent Conservatorship and Support Bill.
Resolution Eight: Improve Access To Healthcare In Rural Texas For Older Texans.
Resolution Nine: Establish Full Practice Authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
Resolution Ten: Increase the maximum rate of home-delivered meals for older Texans to $10.00 with an annual cost of living adjustment.
TSHL Legislative Spotlight
Significant Laws Passed Coming from Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Resolutions
Establish the Legislative Committee on Aging
Freeze city, county, and junior college districts taxes for homesteads of elderly and disabled
Prohibit the use of eminent domain by private owner for personal gain
Include older Texans and disabled homeowners in property tax reduction for public school taxes
Increase personal needs allowance for nursing home residents from $45 to $75 per month
Establish the Silver Alert System for missing older Texans
Increase the penalty for theft of a military grave marker
Limit property taxes for veterans with 100% service-related disability
Advocate for a constitutional amendment determining homestead market value for ad valorem tax purposes
Provide a cap of $250,000 for non-economic damages awarded by juries for malpractice lawsuits
Allow grandparent caregivers to enroll grandchild in school and provide access to state programs
Require criminal history checks of employees and applicants at special care facilities
Restore utility Safety Benefit Fund for low-income discount program
Expand appropriations to an ombudsman program for assisted living facilities
Provide alternatives to guardianship for older Texans
Allow medical use of low THC-Cannabis for intractable epilepsy
Provide for an appropriate disposition of unclaimed cremated remains of veterans
Display branch of service on disabled veteran license plates
Permit Area Agencies on Aging benefit counselors to help clients prepare advance directives
Assure no fewer than 28 Area Agencies on Aging in Texas