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TexasHB 445489th Legislature Regular SessionHouse

Relating to solicitation of patients and other prohibited marketing practices, the establishment of the task force on patient solicitation, and the prosecution of certain related criminal offenses.

Sponsored By: Nathan Johnson (Democratic), Hubert Vo

Became Law

Crimes--Against Persons--GeneralElectronic Information SystemsHealth Care ProvidersHealth--GeneralState Agencies, Boards & Commissions--Newly ProposedADVERTISINGINTERNETPATIENT RIGHTS & PROTECTIONATTORNEY GENERALHEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSIONPATIENT SOLICITATION, TASK FORCE ON

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Clearer rules for treatment facility ads

Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas law clarifies that mental health and chemical dependency facilities can advertise general and specialized services. Internet messages seeking to get people to buy treatment facility services also count as advertising. Those messages are covered by the treatment advertising rules.

New safeguards for treatment referrals

Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas treatment facilities generally cannot pay or contract with intervention and assessment services that refer patients for inpatient or outpatient mental health or chemical dependency treatment. Exceptions cover commission-funded community mental health and intellectual disability centers, county or regional medical societies, and qualified mental health referral services. Qualifying nonprofit counseling organizations are also exempt. Separate rules cover marketing providers supplying general referrals or leads through call centers or websites. Facilities can use those placement contracts for services or recovery homes only when contract terms are disclosed to prospective patients.

Students face limits on school-based treatment

Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas treatment facilities generally cannot offer or provide individual mental health or chemical dependency services through public or private schools. This covers students and families, including services by facility staff or agents who make or could make referrals. Group education remains allowed when the facility affiliation is disclosed. Schools can specifically request emergency or crisis counseling, but students cannot then be referred to the facility providing it. Chemical dependency treatment also remains allowed under a Section 464.020 contract with a school district board or its designee.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Nathan Johnson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Hubert Vo

    House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 249 • No: 54

Senate vote • 5/26/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/26/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 101 • No: 34

House vote • 4/29/2025

Record vote

Yes: 127 • No: 20

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Public Health

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Health & Human Services

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    6/20/2025House

  2. Filed without the Governor's signature

    6/20/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    5/28/2025House

  4. Signed in the Senate

    5/27/2025Senate

  5. Signed in the House

    5/27/2025House

  6. Reported enrolled

    5/27/2025House

  7. Senate passage reported

    5/26/2025House

  8. Record vote

    5/26/2025Senate

  9. Passed

    5/26/2025Senate

  10. Read 3rd time

    5/26/2025Senate

  11. Record vote

    5/26/2025Senate

  12. Three day rule suspended

    5/26/2025Senate

  13. Vote recorded in Journal

    5/26/2025Senate

  14. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading

    5/26/2025Senate

  15. Rules suspended-Regular order of business

    5/26/2025Senate

  16. Placed on intent calendar

    5/26/2025Senate

  17. Committee report printed and distributed

    5/23/2025Senate

  18. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar

    5/23/2025Senate

  19. Reported favorably w/o amendments

    5/23/2025Senate

  20. Vote taken in committee

    5/22/2025Senate

  21. Considered in public hearing

    5/22/2025Senate

  22. Left pending in committee

    5/21/2025Senate

  23. Considered in public hearing

    5/21/2025Senate

  24. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .

    5/21/2025Senate

  25. Referred to Health & Human Services

    5/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

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