By: Springer S.B. No. 1804
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the definitions of homeless, homelessness, and
variations of those terms.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 531.001, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (9) to read as follows:
(9) "Homeless," "homelessness," and variations of
those terms used in reference to the housing status of a person mean
a person lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence
and include:
(A) a person described by 42 U.S.C. Section
11302(a), as that section existed on January 1, 2023;
(B) homeless children and youths described by 42
U.S.C. Section 11434a, as that section existed on January 1, 2023;
and
(C) family members of homeless children and
youths described by Paragraph (B).
SECTION 2. Section 539.001, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 539.001. DEFINITIONS [DEFINITION]. In this chapter:
(1) [,] "Department [department]" means the
Department of State Health Services.
(2) "Homeless," "homelessness," and variations of
those terms used in reference to the housing status of a person have
the meanings assigned by Section 531.001.
SECTION 3. Section 2306.004, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (12-b) to read as follows:
(12-b) "Homeless," "homelessness," and variations of
those terms used in reference to the housing status of a person have
the meanings assigned by Section 531.001.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.