If you work in disability rights, emergency management, public health, or local government in Texas, you’ve heard of the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR). But there’s still confusion about what it is, what it does, and what it doesn’t do.
Let’s break it down clearly.
What is STEAR?
STEAR is a voluntary Texas registry that allows people with disabilities, access and functional needs, and medical dependencies to share information that may assist local emergency planners. It is:
- A state-run database
- Developed, maintained, and administered by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)
- Accessible to designated custodians at the local level for planning and response purposes
The purpose is straightforward—to help local emergency officials understand where people with additional needs are located and what kinds of assistance may be required during disasters.
What STEAR is not: It is not a guarantee of services. It is a planning and coordination tool.
Where did STEAR come from?
Post-Katrina and Rita Reform: After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, evacuation failures exposed serious breakdowns in transportation, communication, and coordination—especially for people with disabilities and medical needs.
In response, Governor Rick Perry convened the Governor’s Task Force on Evacuation, Transportation, and Logistics. The Task Force issued its final report on February 14, 2006, identifying key reforms in:
- Command and control structures
- Regional unified command systems
- Evacuation planning
- Special needs database development
- Fuel and traffic management
- Public awareness
Governor Perry implemented those recommendations through Executive Order RP-57, Signed March 21, 2006. One major outcome? A statewide registry to identify individuals needing transportation assistance during evacuations. That early system was called the Transportation Assistance Registry (TAR). TAR focused narrowly on evacuation transportation needs.
TAR becomes STEAR
In 2013, TAR was replaced by STEAR. The shift reflected an important policy change—instead of focusing only on transportation, STEAR adopted an all-hazards planning model, collecting broader information about:
- Medical dependencies
- Communication barriers
- Mobility limitations
- Access and functional needs
In 2025, STEAR received a usability and integration upgrade intended to improve local planning functionality. The intent was clear—move from a hurricane-only transportation tool to a broader resilience database.
Enter SB 968
Now we get to the critical legal bridge. SB 968 (87th Legislature, 2021) tied STEAR to a mandatory wellness-check duty for local governments. This is where STEAR moved from being “planning information” to being part of a statutory obligation. Originally codified in §418.306, and later reorganized into Subchapter I of Chapter 418, the key operative section is now Texas Government Code §418.256.
How SB 968 fits into STEAR
STEAR becomes the “Trigger List”
SB 968 created a system where:
- TDEM maintains the emergency assistance registry (STEAR).
- Local governments must conduct a wellness check for each “medically fragile” individual:
- Who is listed in STEAR
- Who is located in an area experiencing a qualifying event
This is no longer just optional planning data. It is connected to a legal duty.
Who gets access to the registry?
Under §418.253, TDEM must authorize access to STEAR for:
- HHSC
- DSHS
- First responders
- Local governments
- Local health departments
That access authority exists specifically so these actors can perform wellness checks during qualifying events.
What must a wellness check include?
At minimum:
- Automated call + text
- Personalized telephone call
- If no response, an in-person wellness check
- Timing: As soon as practicable, but no later than 24 hours after the triggering event
This is not advisory language. It is statutory.
What triggers the duty?
Qualifying events include:
- Extended power, water, or gas outage
- A declared state of disaster
- Other events deemed necessary by TDEM/HHSC/DSHS
What about TDEM regulations and guidance?
The statute gives TDEM rulemaking authority to:
- Define triggering events
- Establish minimum standards
- Set operational parameters
In practice, guidance appears through:
- ESF-6 (Mass Care) planning materials
- STEAR handbook guidance
- Local government implementation procedures
Local governments are required to adopt procedures consistent with TDEM minimum standards. But implementation quality varies across jurisdictions.
What advocates focus On
Most disability advocates—including those working directly with impacted communities—tend to agree on the several key realities below.
Registry does not equal response capacity
Having a database does not automatically mean:
- Staff exist to make calls
- Systems exist for automated outreach
- Dispatch is coordinated
- In-person checks can occur within 24 hours
A registry without infrastructure becomes symbolic.
Implementation varies
The statute creates a statewide duty. But operational capability differs dramatically between:
- Large urban counties
- Rural jurisdictions
- Resource-constrained municipalities
Consistency and accountability remain real concerns.
“Medically Fragile” is narrow
SB 968 centers on medically fragile individuals—especially those dependent on power. But disability access needs are broader:
- Communication access
- Transportation independence
- Cognitive support needs
- Behavioral health considerations
- Shelter accessibility
The law addresses one critical slice of vulnerability—but not the whole picture.
The practical takeaway
STEAR is the data system. SB 968 (Subchapter I) is the duty system.
TDEM’s role:
- Maintain the registry
- Set minimum standards
Local governments’ role:
- Adopt procedures
- Conduct wellness checks
- Execute within statutory timelines
Where DRTx stands
Disability Rights Texas recognizes that STEAR can be a valuable planning tool. But without:
- Transparency about how data is used
- Public reporting on wellness-check compliance
- Clear local procedures
- Sufficient staffing and infrastructure
- Accountability mechanisms
The system risks remaining underutilized and ineffective. A registry is only as strong as the operational commitment behind it. If Texas is serious about protecting residents with disabilities during all disasters, then the conversation cannot stop at STEAR. It must include inclusive planning, implementation and transparency.