Prohibited Discharge of Patients To Certain Group-Centered Facilities

Sec. 256.003. PROHIBITED DISCHARGE OF PATIENTS TO CERTAIN GROUP-CENTERED FACILITIES. (a) Subject to Subsection (b), a hospital or other health facility may discharge or otherwise release a patient to the care of a group home, boarding home facility, or similar group-centered facility only if the person who operates the group-centered facility holds a license or permit issued in accordance with applicable state law. (b) A hospital or other health facility may discharge or otherwise release a patient to the care of a group home, boarding home facility, or similar group-centered facility operated by a person who does not hold a license or permit issued in accordance with applicable state law only if: (1) no group-centered facility is operated in the county in which the patient is discharged by a person who holds the applicable license or permit; or (2) the patient voluntarily elects to reside in the group-centered facility of the unlicensed or unpermitted person. (c) A hospital or other health facility is not liable for damages to a patient resulting from the patient's discharge or release to a group home, boarding home facility, or similar group-centered facility under Subsection (b). (d) A local health authority may not issue an order authorizing a hospital or health facility to discharge or release a patient to a group-centered facility in a manner that conflicts with this section. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1045 (S.B. 186), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.