{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-256.003","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Health and Safety Code § 256.003","heading":"PROHIBITED DISCHARGE OF PATIENTS TO CERTAIN GROUP-CENTERED FACILITIES.","body":"(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.\n(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:\n(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\n(2) the patient voluntarily elects to reside in the group-centered facility of the unlicensed or unpermitted person.\n(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).\n(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.\nAdded by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1045 (S.B. 186), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.","path":["HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE","TITLE 4. HEALTH FACILITIES","SUBTITLE B. LICENSING OF HEALTH FACILITIES","CHAPTER 256. SAFE PATIENT HANDLING, MOVEMENT, AND DISCHARGE PRACTICES"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.256.htm#256.003","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:17Z","sha256":"932734fd65295f516e1b2ece20baa4588fa66f21b5264410e052218891f93b44","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-256.002","next":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-257.001"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}