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.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 288 (H.B. 1191), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.