H.B. No. 1191
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1191 was passed by the House on April
  25, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 136, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1191 was passed by the Senate on May
  17, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor