In a June 2025 blog post, AARP Texas highlighted a range of legislative achievements for older Texans: enhanced fraud protection, stronger standards for long‑term care, expanded housing support, judicial training, and a proposed Dementia Prevention & Research Institute. While not all bills directly reference pensions, they have clear implications for fund administrators in policy, risk management, and member communication.

1. Robust Fraud Protections: Senate Bill 2373 & Deed‑Fraud Measures

What Passed:

• According to TexasPolicyResearch.com, SB 2373 makes it a crime to use AI-generated media or phishing messages to commit financial fraud or exploitation. It prohibits the intentional distribution of deceptive content created with artificial intelligence for the purpose of scamming others. Victims are allowed to seek compensation through civil lawsuits, including claims for lost income and attorney’s fees. Courts are also empowered to issue temporary restraining orders or injunctions to stop further misuse. The law allows for civil fines of up to $1,000 per day for those who violate it and includes exceptions for lawful criminal investigations or when AI-generated content clearly discloses that it has been altered.

• Additional bills address deed fraud, gift-card scams, and bolster resources at the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center.

Why It Matters for Pensions:
Retirees are prime targets for sophisticated scams. These laws complement pension systems’ internal fraud safeguards—pinpointed in policies around direct-deposit changes, customer verification, and benefit-caregiver oversight.

Communications Strategy:

• Publish a fraud-awareness bulletin explaining new protections.

• Host webinars for retirees on spotting deepfake scams and how to apply the new legal safety nets.

2. Elder Abuse & Judicial Education: Senate Bills 1283 & 2933

What Passed:

• According to TexasPolicyResearch.com, SB 1283 sets new safety standards for senior living communities in Texas. It requires these facilities to perform criminal background checks on their employees and to inform residents if outside service providers conduct similar checks. Communities must also have a safety and communication policy in place for reporting criminal activity. Additionally, they are required to notify residents within two business days of any reported crimes or trespassing. The bill further ensures that residents are protected from retaliation if they report safety concerns to law enforcement.

• SB 2933 requires Texas judges—including district judges and other judicial officials—to complete training on elder abuse as part of their ongoing judicial education, according to TexasPolicyResearch.com. The legislation sets a required number of training hours focused on elder abuse, child protection, and family violence, and directs the Court of Criminal Appeals to establish rules to carry out these requirements.

Higher care standards reduce health crises among retirees, minimizing sudden benefit spikes connected to emergency or long-term care. Better-trained judiciary ensures stronger protection when abuse occurs.

Communications Strategy:

• Include articles in retiree newsletters about safer care standards.

• Partner with legal teams or ombudsmen to clarify retirees’ rights under the new judicial protections.

3. Housing Stability Initiatives

What Passed:
AARP-backed reforms target tenant protections, eviction processes, eviction prevention, and increased access to affordable, elder‑appropriate housing.

Why It Matters:
Stable housing influences retirees’ financial resilience and healthcare costs. By mitigating housing volatility, pension funds support long-term benefit planning and overall member stability.

Communications Strategy:

• Create retiree guides or links to housing resources and tenant support programs.

• Host a panel on housing affordability aimed at retirees approaching benefit age.

4. Dementia Prevention & Brain‑Health: Institute & House Bill 3376

What Passed:

• A legislative budget proposal—with AARP support—allocates $3 billion for a Dementia Prevention & Research Institute, pending voter approval.

• HB 3376, according to TexasPolicyResearch.com, mandates that court-appointed guardians receive training on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease within six months of their appointment and then annually. The training—offered online at no cost by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission—covers topics like aging, recognizing signs of dementia, effective communication techniques, and respecting the rights of those under guardianship. The Texas Supreme Court is required to establish rules for the training by January 1, 2026, with the program becoming available online by July 1, 2026.

Cognitive health is a significant long-term risk. Investment in prevention could alter actuarial forecasts for healthcare benefits and improve retirees’ capacity to manage their pensions and estate decisions.

Communications Strategy:

• Share updates about the institute and its possible impact on retiree well‑being.

• Provide informational webinars on guardianship, will creation, and cognitive health.

5. Broader Consumer Protection Initiatives

What Passed:
Other AARP‑supported bills include:

• SB 331 broadens the rules requiring health care facilities to provide cost information to patients and follow corrective action plans when deficiencies are identified. It also introduces administrative penalties for facilities that fail to comply, according to TexasPolicyResearch.com. These requirements now apply to a wider range of providers, including outpatient clinics and birthing centers. All covered facilities must meet the compliance standards by August 31, 2029.

• SB 1238, according to TexasPolicyResearch.com, prevents insurance companies from discriminating against individuals who have lost a spouse by denying coverage, reducing benefits, or increasing rates based solely on their status as widowed. The law ensures that being a widow or widower cannot be used as a reason for unfavorable treatment by insurers. It applies to all insurance policies issued or renewed on or after September 1, 2025.
  

Why It Matters:
These reforms support financial pressure points typical in retirees’ lives—unexpected medical bills or insurance penalties—and influence healthcare cost forecasting and retiree lifestyle protection.

Communications Strategy:

• Educate retirees about price transparency laws and add links to tools where they can compare care costs.

• Share information with spouses and beneficiaries to heighten awareness around widow penalties and proper beneficiary planning.

Final Takeaways for Pension Administrators

• Newsletter Articles: Highlight new protections with clear summaries and action steps.

• Webinars / Workshops: Invite experts on fraud, housing, and cognitive health.

• Secure Portals: Post alerts and FAQ sections explaining relevant legislation.

These legislative achievements significantly bolster the protections, well-being, and financial resilience of public retirees. As pension leaders, integrating them into fund policy, risk oversight, and member education strengthens both fiduciary duty and member trust.

About the Author: Allen Jones is the director of communications and event marketing for TEXPERS. He joined the Association in 2017. Before TEXPERS, he worked in the news media industry, producing content for newspapers, magazines, and online publications and leading newsrooms as an editor and publications manager. [email protected]  

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