Senator Charles Schwertner, sponsor of Senate Bill 528, told the committee the bill would add planning and reporting requirements to inpatient competency restoration (ICR) programs and improve coordination between contracted restoration facilities, local officials, law enforcement and mental health authorities.

Schwertner said Texas currently restores competency in five contracted facilities and nine state hospitals and that, in December, more than 1,700 people were waiting for state hospital placement, some for months. He said the bill aims to ensure local communities are involved when the state contracts with private hospitals—questions include who provides security, who answers law‑enforcement calls, and how patients would be returned to their home counties if charges are dropped.

Mike Maples of Bluebonnet Trails Community Services testified in favor and described the need for coordinated planning and data collection to compare restoration rates, costs and lengths of stay. The committee closed public testimony and left the bill pending.