S.B. No. 437 aims to enhance inservice training for identifying abuse, neglect, and unethical conduct in health care facilities, while also updating the civil and administrative penalties for violations related to chemical dependency treatment facilities. The bill introduces new provisions for training methods, allowing it to be conducted either in person or through a live, interactive electronic format that facilitates real-time interaction between instructors and employees.

Additionally, the bill amends the criteria for assessing civil penalties, increasing the factors considered by the court to include the facility's ability to pay the penalty and its capacity to continue providing services if its license is not revoked. It also mandates that the administrative penalty schedules posted by the commission take into account the economic impact of penalties on regulated entities. The changes will apply only to violations occurring after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 464.017, Health and Safety Code 464.019 (Health and Safety Code 464)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 464.017, Health and Safety Code 464.019 (Health and Safety Code 464)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 464.017, Health and Safety Code 464.019 (Health and Safety Code 464)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 161.133, Health and Safety Code 464.017, Health and Safety Code 464.019 (Health and Safety Code 161, Health and Safety Code 464)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 161.133, Health and Safety Code 464.017, Health and Safety Code 464.019 (Health and Safety Code 161, Health and Safety Code 464)