Bill > SB1137

This bill modifies regulations for group homes by introducing new requirements for group home consultants who refer potential residents to such facilities. The bill defines a group home as an establishment that provides lodging to three or more unrelated residents and offers services like meals, transportation, and medication assistance, but does not provide personal care services. The legislation creates a new criminal offense for group home consultants, stipulating that they cannot refer potential residents to unlicensed or unpermitted group homes except under specific circumstances, such as when no licensed group homes exist in the desired geographic region or when the potential resident cannot afford a licensed facility. Before referring a potential resident to an unlicensed group home, consultants must disclose any known complaints against the facility. Violating these referral restrictions would result in a Class B misdemeanor. The bill also maintains existing provisions about criminal background checks for group home employees, prohibiting the hiring of individuals with certain criminal convictions. The new regulations aim to protect vulnerable residents by ensuring more accountability and transparency in group home referrals, with the provisions set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1137