JD Key Consulting Logo
Signed Into Law
Signed May 29, 2025Effective 2025-05-29
HB1188

Regular Session

Relating to the provision of information regarding a local intellectual and developmental disability authority to the parents or guardians of certain special education students.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

HB1188: Government Affairs Overview

The "Caytlin Handley Act" (HB1188) imposes a mandatory procedural step for school districts during the initial Individualized Education Program (IEP) process for students with intellectual disabilities or developmental delays. Effective immediately, with operational enforcement beginning the 2025-2026 school year, districts must provide parents with specific information regarding Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA) services and Medicaid waivers to avoid procedural due process liabilities.

Rep. Christian Manuel·House Bill·Regular Session

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-05-29
Business Impact

Who HB1188 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: moderate

Notable regulatory updates (effective 2025-05-29). Consider how these changes may affect your operations.

🎓

Education

Affected business types:

  • School districts
  • Charter schools
  • Private schools
  • Education service providers
View all education legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1No New Hires: No additional staffing is required.
  • 2Mandatory Documentation: The IEP meeting minutes or the "Receipt of Procedural Safeguards" acknowledgment must be modified.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

Need Government Relations Support?

JD Key Consulting provides government affairs and regulatory strategy services. We help businesses navigate Texas agencies, understand legislative impacts, and advocate for their interests.

Need Help Navigating This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting provides strategic guidance on Texas regulatory compliance and legislative impact for your business.

HB1188
Relating to the provision of information regarding a local intellectual and developmental disability authority to the parents or guardians of certain ...
Moderate Urgency
Passed with Opposition
House Vote126 - 3
YEA
98% in favor129 voting
Senate Vote31 - 0
YEA
100% in favor31 voting
3
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-05-29
Enforcing Agencies
TEA
Primary Author: Rep. Christian Manuel
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: May 29, 2025 (Law is currently active).
  • Compliance Deadline: First day of the 2025-2026 School Year (August 2025). Operational protocols must be active for all Initial ARD meetings occurring on or after this date.
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) are statutorily required to develop and publish the informational materials. Districts are in a "regulatory holding pattern" awaiting these specific documents.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Vendor Notification: Immediately notify your IEP software vendor of the new field requirement for Fall 2025 releases.
  • 2. Monitor TEA: Assign a compliance officer to monitor "To the Administrator Addressed" correspondence for the release of the official TEA/HHSC packet.
  • 3. Draft Contingency: Prepare a local "LIDDA Information Sheet" to be used if the state-mandated materials are delayed beyond August 15.
  • 4. Update Procedures: Revise the Special Education Operating Procedures (SEOP) manual to include this step in the "Initial Evaluation and ARD" workflow.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • EdTech Vendors: Review Master Services Agreements with IEP management software providers (e.g., Frontline, eSped, SuccessEd). Direct them to update "Initial ARD" meeting templates to include a mandatory verification field for this disclosure prior to August 1, 2025.

Hiring/Training

  • ARD Facilitators & Diagnosticians: Incorporate HB1188 requirements into August in-service training. Staff must be trained to identify qualifying eligibility codes (ID/DD) and physically or digitally distribute the required materials during the meeting.
  • No New Hires: No additional staffing is required.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Mandatory Documentation: The IEP meeting minutes or the "Receipt of Procedural Safeguards" acknowledgment must be modified.
  • Chain of Custody: You must capture a parent signature or check-box verification stating: *"Received information regarding LIDDA services and Section 1915(c) waivers per Texas Education Code Sec. 29.030."* Failure to document this is a procedural error that could impact FAPE defense.

Fees & Costs

  • Budget Impact: Negligible. Costs are limited to printing state-supplied materials or digital distribution overhead.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Material Availability: If TEA/HHSC fails to publish the official materials by the start of the school year, districts face a compliance gap.
  • *Guidance:* Do not wait. If official forms are absent by August 15, General Counsel should draft a "good faith" notice listing local LIDDA contact info and a summary of 1915(c) waivers to ensure compliance.
  • Eligibility Scope: The statute specifies "intellectual disability" or "developmental delay." It does not explicitly list Autism or Traumatic Brain Injury.
  • *Guidance:* Adopt a broad interpretation. If a student has a condition that *could* qualify for LIDDA services, provide the information. Over-disclosure carries no risk; under-disclosure invites liability.

Need Compliance Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting specializes in Texas regulatory compliance strategy. Work directly with James Dickey—former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas—to understand this bill's impact on your operations and develop an actionable compliance plan.

Schedule a Consultation

Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Nov 12, 2024
Passed House
Apr 25, 2025
Passed Senate
May 16, 2025
Signed
May 29, 2025
Effective
May 29, 2025
TopicsEducationEducation--primary & SecondaryEducation--primary & Secondary--specialDisabilities, Persons WithMedicaidEducation--school DistrictsCaytlin Handley ActEducation Agency, Texas
03

House Authors

Rep. Christian ManuelDemocrat · Primary Author
Joint Authors
Coauthors (13)

Senate Sponsors

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDemocrat · Primary Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

Explore more bills from this author and on related topics

More from Rep. Christian Manuel

View all bills by Rep. Christian Manuel

Related by Topic

View more Education legislation
Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB1188

Q

What does Texas HB1188 do?

The "Caytlin Handley Act" (HB1188) imposes a mandatory procedural step for school districts during the initial Individualized Education Program (IEP) process for students with intellectual disabilities or developmental delays. Effective immediately, with operational enforcement beginning the 2025-2026 school year, districts must provide parents with specific information regarding Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA) services and Medicaid waivers to avoid procedural due process liabilities.

Q

Who authored HB1188?

HB1188 was authored by Texas Representative Christian Manuel during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB1188 signed into law?

HB1188 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 29, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB1188?

HB1188 is enforced by Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Q

How significant are the changes in HB1188?

The regulatory priority for HB1188 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB1188?

The cost impact of HB1188 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB1188 address?

HB1188 addresses topics including education, education--primary & secondary, education--primary & secondary--special, disabilities, persons with and medicaid.

Q

What are the key dates for HB1188?

Key dates for HB1188: Effective date is 2025-05-29. Rulemaking: Develop and make available informational materials regarding LIDDA services and Section 1915(c) waiver programs for distribution by school districts. (Prior to 2025-2026 School Year (Implied)). Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026