By: Burkett, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini) H.B. No. 1191
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 29, 2013;
April 30, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
and Human Services; May 15, 2013, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 15, 2013, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain information about housing for persons with
mental illness provided through the Texas Information and Referral
Network Internet site.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.03132 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.03132. ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO REFERRAL INFORMATION
ABOUT HOUSING OPTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. (a) The
commission shall make available through the Texas Information and
Referral Network Internet site established under Section 531.0313
information regarding housing options for persons with mental
illness provided by public or private entities throughout the
state. The Internet site will serve as a single point of access
through which a person may be directed on how or where to apply for
housing for persons with mental illness in the person's community.
In this subsection, "private entity" includes any provider of
housing specifically for persons with mental illness other than a
state agency, municipality, county, or other political subdivision
of this state, regardless of whether the provider accepts payment
for providing housing for persons with mental illness.
(b) To the extent resources are available, the Internet site
must be geographically indexed and designed to inform a person
about the housing options for persons with mental illness provided
in the area where the person lives.
(c) The Internet site must contain a searchable listing of
available housing options for persons with mental illness by type,
with a definition for each type of housing and an explanation of the
populations of persons with mental illness generally served by that
type of housing. The list must contain at a minimum the following
types of housing for persons with mental illness:
(1) state hospitals;
(2) step-down units in state hospitals;
(3) community hospitals;
(4) private psychiatric hospitals;
(5) a provider of inpatient treatment services in the
network of service providers assembled by a local mental health
authority under Section 533.035(e), Health and Safety Code;
(6) assisted living facilities;
(7) continuing care facilities;
(8) boarding homes;
(9) emergency shelters for homeless persons;
(10) transitional housing intended to move homeless
persons to permanent housing;
(11) supportive housing, or long-term,
community-based affordable housing that provides supportive
services;
(12) general residential operations, as defined by
Section 42.002, Human Resources Code; and
(13) residential treatment centers, or a type of
general residential operation that provides services to children
with emotional disorders in a structured and supportive
environment.
(d) For each housing facility named in the listing of
available housing options for persons with mental illness, the
Internet site must indicate whether the provider that operates the
housing facility is licensed by the state.
(e) The Internet site must display a disclaimer that the
information provided is for informational purposes only and is not
an endorsement or recommendation of any type of housing or any
housing facility.
(f) Each entity providing housing specifically for persons
with mental illness in this state, including the Department of
State Health Services, municipalities, counties, other political
subdivisions of this state, and private entities, shall cooperate
with the Texas Information and Referral Network as necessary in the
administration of this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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