Sec. 352.0165.  INSPECTION OF GROUP HOMES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES; FEE.  (a)  In this section:
(1)  "Group home" means an establishment:
(A)  in which three or more individuals who are unrelated to the owner or operator of the establishment reside;
(B)  that provides residential care services to residents; and
(C)  that receives payment or other compensation from a local, state, or federal governmental entity for providing residential care services to a resident.
(2)  "Residential care services" means shelter, protection, meals, health care, mobility assistance, and personal care services, including bathing, dressing, and eating.
(b)  This section applies only to a county with a population of 3.3 million or more.
(c)  This section does not apply to a building owned or operated by:
(1)  a person that is required to be licensed under Chapter 142, 242, 246, 247, or 252, Health and Safety Code;
(2)  a person that is exempt from licensing under Section 142.003(a)(19), 242.003(3), or 247.004(4), Health and Safety Code;
(3)  a hotel as defined by Section 156.001, Tax Code;
(4)  a retirement community;
(5)  a monastery or convent;
(6)  a child-care facility as defined by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code;
(7)  a family violence shelter center as defined by Section 51.002, Human Resources Code; or
(8)  a sorority or fraternity house or other dormitory associated with an institution of higher education.
(d)  On the complaint of any person, the county fire marshal, at any reasonable time, may enter:
(1)  a building in the county in which a group home is operated; and
(2)  the premises of a building described by Subdivision (1).
(e)  The county fire marshal shall order the removal of a building in which a group home is located, the removal of a structure located on the premises of a building in which a group home is located, or other remedial action if the marshal finds that:
(1)  the building or structure, because of lack of repair, age, dilapidated condition, or other reason, is susceptible to fire and is so located or occupied that fire would endanger persons or property in the building or structure or on the premises of the building or structure;
(2)  a dangerous condition is created by:
(A)  an improper arrangement of stoves, ranges, furnaces, or other heating appliances, including chimneys, flues, and pipes with which they are connected, or by their lighting systems or devices; or
(B)  the manner of storage of explosives, compounds, petroleum, gasoline, kerosene, dangerous chemicals, vegetable products, ashes, or combustible, flammable, or refuse materials; or
(3)  any other condition exists that is dangerous or is liable to cause or promote fire or create danger for firefighters, occupants, or other buildings or structures.
(f)  The person to whom an order under Subsection (e) is directed shall immediately comply with the order.  The marshal may, if necessary, apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for writs or orders necessary to enforce this section, and the court may grant appropriate relief.  The marshal is not required to give a bond.
(g)  The commissioners court of a county may adopt any appropriate standard developed by a nationally recognized standards-making association under which the county fire marshal may enforce this section, except that standards adopted under this subsection do not apply in a municipality that has adopted fire protection ordinances.
(h)  The commissioners court of a county shall prescribe a reasonable fee for an inspection performed by the county fire marshal that may be charged to a property owner or occupant who requests the inspection, as the commissioners court considers appropriate.  In prescribing the fee, the commissioners court shall consider the overall cost to the marshal to perform the inspections, including the approximate amount of time the staff of the marshal needs to perform an inspection, travel costs, and other expenses.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 473 (S.B. 504), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.