House Bill No. 3589 aims to establish a regulatory framework for group home facilities in Texas by transferring and redesignating 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 specifies that a provisional license may be granted to existing facilities that comply with resident care standards while they work to meet life safety code standards. Additionally, the bill mandates that applicants submit a nonrefundable license fee, the amount of which will be determined by the executive commissioner.

The legislation further emphasizes the importance of criminal background 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 regular inspections of facilities, and outlines the procedures for the denial, suspension, or revocation of licenses. The bill also includes provisions for emergency suspensions or closures of facilities that pose an immediate threat to resident safety. The executive commissioner is tasked with adopting necessary rules to implement these regulations, which are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.