Relating to the licensure and regulation of certain group home facilities; authorizing a fee; creating an offense.

HB 3589 establishes a new licensing requirement for group home facilities in Texas, which are defined as establishments providing lodging to three or more unrelated residents with services like meals, light housekeeping, or transportation (but not personal care). The bill requires operators to obtain a license from the Health and Human Services Commission, prohibits using the term "group home" without proper licensing, and creates exemptions for facilities like licensed nursing homes, hotels, retirement communities, and sorority houses. Existing facilities may apply for a six-month provisional license if they meet resident care standards. This directly affects operators of non-exempt group home facilities seeking to legally operate or use the term "group home."