House Bill No. 3589 aims to establish a regulatory framework for group home facilities in Texas by transferring and redesignating existing provisions from Chapter 769 of the Health and Safety Code to Chapter 260E. The bill introduces new definitions, including "group home facility," and outlines the requirements for licensure, stating that no person may operate such a facility without a license issued under this chapter. It also mandates that applicants submit a nonrefundable license fee, the amount of which will be determined by the executive commissioner. Additionally, the bill allows for the issuance of provisional licenses to existing facilities that comply with resident care standards but need more time to meet life safety code standards.

The legislation includes provisions for criminal history checks for employees of group home facilities, prohibiting the hiring of individuals with certain criminal convictions. It establishes standards for the health and safety of residents, mandates inspections every two years, and outlines the process for denying, suspending, or revoking licenses. The bill also allows for emergency suspensions or closures of facilities posing immediate threats to resident safety. The executive commissioner is tasked with adopting necessary rules to implement these regulations, which will take effect on September 1, 2025.