Two state lawmakers say Texas should close some of its homes for the mentally disabled and get more of those residents into community settings.
Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, and Rep. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, filed bills Monday that would close some schools in a state system wracked by reports of abuse and neglect of patients.
The lawmakers did not say which schools should be closed and that the matter will require a lot of study.
A Justice Department report released in December found at least 53 patients in Texas' large residential facilities died in 2007 from preventable conditions that were often the result of lapses in care.
It concluded that the Texas facilities violate residents' constitutional rights and called the number of injuries to patients "disturbingly high."
Some families of residents at the schools have opposed such a move, saying their loved ones have received good care.
Olivia and Norman Donelson say the Austin State School is not only home to their son, but to them. They say a school closure would leave their medically fragile son with very few options.
"I really just would hate to think about it," Olivia Donelson said.
In the Department of Justice report, details of excessive abuse and neglect of state school residents are prompting lawmakers to strongly consider closing the doors of some state schools.
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State school closures?
State lawmakers say Texas should close some of its state schools for good and get residents into community settings.
 
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"That's pretty serious, it's a pretty clear indication that we need to do something and we need to do it now," Rep. Ellis said.
New legislation is calling for an overhaul of the state school system that would reduce the number of residents by providing them community-based care. It's something the DOJ report says the schools did little to promote. The measure will likely mean that some of the 13 schools will close.
"It's something we can't afford to wait to do," Rep. Rose said.
Policymakers say the bill is not all about school closure, but about giving those with developmental disabilities more choices. However, some parents say without the option of state schools, their choices become highly limited.
"We feel like he wouldn't get the care that he needs, and it would be very difficult for us as parents to accept that," Norman Donelson said.
Lawmakers say the bill is about crafting a long term plan to care better for a vulnerable population who needs the state's help.
Sen. Ellis said that because state schools have been made an issue of emergency by the governor, he expects the bill will be acted upon quickly.
