S.B. No. 331 amends the Health and Safety Code to enhance the disclosure of health care cost information by certain health care facilities and establishes administrative penalties for non-compliance. The definition of "Facility" is expanded to include various types of hospitals, abortion facilities, ambulatory surgical centers, birthing centers, chemical dependency treatment facilities, end-stage renal disease facilities, freestanding emergency medical care facilities, narcotic drug treatment programs, and special care facilities. Additionally, a new section is added to specify that the chapter applies only to facilities with a total gross revenue of $10 million or more.

The bill also revises the penalties for non-compliance, allowing the commission to impose fines based on the facility's gross revenue. For facilities with revenues between $10 million and $100 million, the penalty is set at $100 for each violation, while those with revenues exceeding $100 million face a penalty of $1,000 per violation. Furthermore, health care facilities are granted a grace period until August 31, 2029, to comply with the new disclosure requirements. The act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 327.001, Health and Safety Code 327.008 (Health and Safety Code 327)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 327.001, Health and Safety Code 327.008 (Health and Safety Code 327)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 327.001, Health and Safety Code 327.008 (Health and Safety Code 327)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 327.001, Health and Safety Code 327.008 (Health and Safety Code 327)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 327.001, Health and Safety Code 327.008 (Health and Safety Code 327)