S.B. No. 1283 is a legislative act aimed at enhancing resident safety from criminal activity in senior retirement communities in Texas. The bill introduces Chapter 786 to the Health and Safety Code, which includes definitions for terms such as "common amenity," "resident," and "senior retirement community." It outlines specific requirements for senior retirement communities, including conducting criminal history checks for employees, disclosing safety policies in resident contracts, and maintaining a resident safety and communications policy. This policy mandates timely notifications to residents about known criminal activities and trespassing incidents.

Additionally, the bill establishes exemptions for certain facilities, such as health care institutions and boarding homes, from the requirements set forth in this chapter. It also protects senior retirement communities from civil or criminal liability for compliance with the new safety measures. Importantly, the act prohibits communities from penalizing residents for communicating with law enforcement regarding safety concerns and ensures that law enforcement can access common areas for investigations. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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