On June 17, 2025, Judge Orlando Garcia issued a landmark decision, finding that the State of Texas violated the rights of thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Texas nursing facilities (Steward, et al v. Young). He ordered the parties to submit proposed remedial orders by August 1, 2025. CPR, and its co-counsel, Disability Rights Texas, Sidley Austin, and US DOJ filed their remedial order which would require Texas to: revise its nursing facility screening and evaluation program so that it complies with federal law (PASRR); provide specialized services to all people with IDD; ensure that every individual can make a knowing, informed choice in deciding whether to enter or remain in a nursing facility; substantially expand home and community based waiver residential services; and ensure that all individuals with IDD have prompt access to community alternatives and appropriate support services. The proposed order includes specific outcome measures for all provisions, a timetable for implementation, and ongoing court supervision.
The defendants, on the other hand, submitted over 100 objections to the Court’s decision and argued that no remedial order could or should be entered.