H.B. No. 4454 establishes a new Chapter 110 in the Health and Safety Code, creating a Task Force on Patient Solicitation. This task force is tasked with studying and making recommendations to prevent violations of existing laws related to mental health and chemical dependency services, as well as improving enforcement of these laws. The task force will consist of eight members appointed by the executive commissioner and the attorney general, all of whom must have expertise in healthcare or advertising. Additionally, the bill mandates that the task force submit a report to the legislature every even-numbered year detailing civil or criminal actions taken against violations and legislative recommendations for improvement.

The bill also amends several sections of the Health and Safety Code and the Occupations Code to enhance regulations surrounding the marketing practices of treatment facilities. Key changes include stricter definitions of advertising, prohibitions against misleading claims, and requirements for disclosure of affiliations when soliciting referrals. Notably, the bill increases the civil penalties for violations from a minimum of $1,000 to $2,000 and introduces new provisions to ensure transparency in financial relationships related to patient solicitation. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and apply only to offenses committed after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 164.002, Health and Safety Code 164.003, Health and Safety Code 164.006, Health and Safety Code 164.010, Health and Safety Code 164.011, Occupations Code 102.001, Occupations Code 102.004, Occupations Code 102.006, Occupations Code 102.051 (Health and Safety Code 164, Occupations Code 102)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 164.002, Health and Safety Code 164.003, Health and Safety Code 164.006, Health and Safety Code 164.010, Health and Safety Code 164.011, Occupations Code 102.001, Occupations Code 102.004, Occupations Code 102.006, Occupations Code 102.051 (Health and Safety Code 164, Occupations Code 102)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 164.002, Health and Safety Code 164.003, Health and Safety Code 164.006, Health and Safety Code 164.010, Health and Safety Code 164.011, Occupations Code 102.001, Occupations Code 102.004, Occupations Code 102.006, Occupations Code 102.051 (Health and Safety Code 164, Occupations Code 102)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 164.002, Health and Safety Code 164.003, Health and Safety Code 164.006, Health and Safety Code 164.010, Health and Safety Code 164.011, Occupations Code 102.001, Occupations Code 102.004, Occupations Code 102.006, Occupations Code 102.051 (Health and Safety Code 164, Occupations Code 102)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 164.002, Health and Safety Code 164.003, Health and Safety Code 164.006, Health and Safety Code 164.010, Health and Safety Code 164.011, Occupations Code 102.001, Occupations Code 102.004, Occupations Code 102.006, Occupations Code 102.051 (Health and Safety Code 164, Occupations Code 102)