Texas closes federal case after IDD reforms

Texas has completed mandated reforms across 13 state-operated facilities serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), resulting in the closure of a long-standing federal oversight case. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the state met all requirements under the court-ordered consent decree, leading to the dismissal of the case.

Background of the federal case

The legal process began in 2005 with an investigation into conditions at the Lubbock State School. By 2009, the inquiry expanded to include 12 additional Texas IDD living centers. Investigators identified significant deficiencies involving safety, clinical care, and overall living conditions that violated federal protections for institutionalized individuals.

As a result, Texas and the DOJ entered into a consent decree in 2009, obligating the state to adopt wide-ranging improvements. This decree was updated in 2021 to reflect changes in care standards and expectations. Over nearly two decades, Texas implemented strategies targeting safer environments, enhanced medical services, better educational programs, and increased access to community-based supports.

Implementation and verification

The reforms aimed to shift services from institutional settings to more integrated, community-focused care models where possible. Independent reviews validated Texas’s compliance with the consent decree requirements. Following the verification process, both Texas and the DOJ jointly requested the federal court to dismiss the case, finalizing the state’s exit from formal federal oversight.

The resolution of this case signals a pivotal transition in Texas’s approach to IDD care. Providers and stakeholders can expect standards emphasizing person-centered care, improved clinical outcomes, and enhanced opportunities for community integration.

While the formal oversight has ended, the reforms set a precedent for ongoing monitoring to ensure care quality does not regress. This milestone also informs broader national conversations about the future of state-operated IDD services and the balance between institutional care and community inclusion.