The commission must publish housing-option information for people with mental illness on the state website, and the site must include searchable, area-based listings, licensing status, and a disclaimer.
Sec. 526.0007. INTERNET WEBSITE FOR REFERRAL INFORMATION ON HOUSING OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. (a) The commission shall make available through the network Internet website established under Section 526.0005 information regarding housing options for individuals with mental illness provided by public or private entities throughout this state. The Internet website serves as a single point of access through which an individual may be directed toward information regarding the manner of or where to apply for housing for individuals with mental illness in the individual's community. In this subsection, "private entity" includes any provider of housing specifically for individuals with mental illness other than a state agency, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state, regardless of whether the provider accepts payment for providing housing for those individuals. (b) To the extent resources are available, the Internet website must be geographically indexed and designed to inform an individual about the housing options for individuals with mental illness provided in the area in which the individual lives. (c) The Internet website must contain a searchable listing of available housing options for individuals with mental illness by type with a definition for each type of housing and an explanation of the populations of individuals with mental illness generally served by that type of housing. The list must include the following types of housing for individuals with mental illness: (1) state hospitals; (2) step-down units in state hospitals; (3) community hospitals; (4) private psychiatric hospitals; (5) an inpatient treatment service provider in the network of service providers assembled by a local mental health authority under Section 533.035(c), Health and Safety Code; (6) assisted living facilities; (7) continuing care facilities; (8) boarding homes; (9) emergency shelters for individuals who are homeless; (10) transitional housing intended to move individuals who are homeless 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 individuals with mental illness, the Internet website must indicate whether the provider operating the housing facility is licensed by this state. (e) The Internet website 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 individuals with mental illness in this state, including the commission, counties, municipalities, other political subdivisions of this state, and private entities, shall cooperate with the network as necessary to administer this section. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.