The bill, H.B. No. 2631, introduces Chapter 328 to the Health and Safety Code, which specifically addresses prohibited facility fees for telehealth and telemedicine services. It defines key terms such as "facility fee," which refers to charges intended to cover operational expenses separate from professional medical service fees. The bill explicitly states that health care providers are not allowed to charge facility fees for telehealth or telemedicine services, thereby aiming to reduce financial barriers for patients accessing these services.

To enforce this prohibition, the bill grants the Health and Human Services Commission the authority to impose administrative penalties of up to $1,000 on providers who violate the new regulations. Additionally, it allows the executive commissioner to adopt rules necessary for the implementation of this chapter. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

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