By: Harrison H.B. No. 4242
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to standardizing definitions of homelessness.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 531.001, Government Code, is amended by
adding subsection (9) to read as follows:
(9) "Homeless", "homelessness", and "homeless
persons" mean individuals or families lacking a fixed, regular, and
adequate nighttime residence as described in the federal
McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act (Title 42 U.S.C., chapter
119, subchapter I) as it existed on January 1, 2023.
SECTION 2. Section 539.001, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 539.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:,
(1) "dDepartment" means the Department of State Health
Services.
(2) "Homeless", "homeless family", "homeless youth",
and "person experiencing homelessness" mean individuals or
families lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence
as described in the federal McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act
(Title 42 U.S.C., chapter 119, subchapter I) as it existed on
January 1, 2023.
SECTION 3. Section 2306.004, Government Code, is amended by
adding subsection (12-b) to read as follows:
(12-b) "Homeless", "homelessness", and "homeless
individuals" mean individuals or families lacking a fixed, regular,
and adequate nighttime residence as described in the federal
McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act (Title 42 U.S.C., chapter
119, subchapter I) as it existed on January 1, 2023.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.