Relating to a prohibition on payments for certain group home referrals; creating a criminal offense.

Texas bill SB 1777 prohibits health care providers (including their employees or contractors) from accepting any payment for referring potential residents to group homes that lack a valid license. The law specifically targets unlicensed group homes, including those operating under state waiver programs. Violating this prohibition is a Class B misdemeanor offense. The bill aims to prevent financial incentives for referrals to facilities not meeting licensing standards, directly affecting health care providers who make such referrals.