The bill, S.B. No. 1402, mandates that all group homes in Texas must register with the appropriate municipal police department or county sheriff's department within 60 days of beginning operations. This registration must include contact information for the owner or operator and an emergency contact, and it must be completed in the manner prescribed by the respective law enforcement agency. Failure to comply with this registration requirement will result in a civil penalty of $2,500 for the first violation, with additional penalties of $100 for each subsequent day the violation continues. Municipalities or counties can take legal action to recover these penalties, including court costs and attorney's fees if they prevail.

Additionally, the bill allows municipal police departments and sheriff's departments to conduct periodic welfare checks on residents of group homes that are required to register. Existing group homes that began operations before the bill's effective date must complete their registration by November 1, 2025. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.