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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to equitable operations policies for certain emergency |
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homeless shelters. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2306.0945 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2306.0945. EMERGENCY HOMELESS SHELTER EQUITABLE |
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OPERATIONS POLICIES. (a) This section applies only to an emergency |
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homeless shelter that receives financial assistance administered |
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by the department, including federal funds described by Section |
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2306.094. |
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(b) The department by rule shall require each emergency |
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homeless shelter to adopt and implement equitable operations |
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policies designed to ensure that individuals experiencing |
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homelessness in this state have equal access to shelter and support |
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services regardless of the individuals' race, ethnicity, national |
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origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, |
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disability, or other protected status. |
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(c) The equitable operations policies must require an |
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emergency homeless shelter to: |
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(1) eliminate discriminatory practices in the |
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admission of individuals to and the discharge of individuals from |
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the shelter and in the provision of services; |
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(2) offer culturally and linguistically appropriate |
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services and accommodations; |
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(3) ensure that each individual receiving services |
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from the shelter has access to the same level of basic amenities, |
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such as clean and safe sleeping accommodations, showers, restrooms, |
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and laundry facilities; |
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(4) provide individuals receiving services from the |
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shelter with access to supportive services, such as case |
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management, employment assistance, health care, and mental health |
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and substance use treatment; |
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(5) prioritize the needs of individuals who are most |
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vulnerable, including families with children, pregnant |
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individuals, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of |
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domestic violence; |
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(6) adopt trauma-informed care practices to ensure |
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that each individual receiving services from the shelter is treated |
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with dignity and respect; |
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(7) provide staff training and professional |
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development on issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion; |
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(8) establish and implement other holistic operations |
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policies determined by the department to maximize the opportunity |
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for stabilization of the community the shelter serves during and |
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after a public emergency; and |
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(9) collect and report data to the department in |
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accordance with department rule on the demographic characteristics |
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of shelter residents and outcomes achieved. |
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(d) The department shall develop and distribute to each |
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emergency shelter guidelines and best practices for the adoption |
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and implementation of the equitable operations policies. |
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(e) The department shall monitor emergency homeless |
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shelters to ensure compliance with this section. |
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(f) The department may not provide financial assistance to |
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an emergency shelter that fails to adopt and implement the |
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equitable operations policies required by this section. |
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(g) The department may collaborate with local emergency |
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homeless shelter regulatory authorities in carrying out this |
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section. |
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(h) The senate finance committee and the house |
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appropriations committee shall use the equitable operations |
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policies required by this section as a guide in determining the |
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costs and funding sources of those policies. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs |
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shall adopt the rules required by Section 2306.0945, Government |
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Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |