New law established for boarding homes in Harris County to 'protect vulnerable residents'

Officials in Harris County established a new state law Aug. 26 providing additional protections for residents of boarding homes within the county.

The law, now approved by the Texas Legislature, will criminalize any operation of unlicensed boarding homes, defined as residential facilities that provide housing and care services to three or more unrelated persons with disabilities, or elderly people.

"This morning County Attorney @CDMenefee joined @HCSOTexas to talk about the new regulations for boarding homes. This was a joint effort by several Harris County offices to protect vulnerable residents from fraud and abuse," said Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee in a tweet on Aug. 26.

The new law coincides with Senate Bill 500, which goes into effect on Sept. 1 and will establish criminal penalties for anyone who fails to report abuse or neglect within a boarding home, according to ABC 13.

"Because they serve such a vulnerable population, boarding homes can also be susceptible to abuse. Until recently, however, many boarding homes managed to escape basic oversight by operating in unincorporated areas (of the county) where law enforcement had little authority to intervene on behalf of residents," said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez to ABC 13.

Prior to the new law, some boarding homeowners were operating under the radar using a loophole that allowed them to avoid basic oversights, Gonzalez said. Unlicensed boarding homes were often overcrowded with deplorable conditions resulting in residents becoming victims of exploitation, abuse, neglect and Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

"We see people living in facilities and being brought out of facilities that do not have an evacuation plan, they do not have a fire alarm system. They do not have the basic needs for the kitchen, and those things that are needed to keep them safe," said Fire Marshall Laurie Christensen. 

Under new legislation in Harris County, boarding home residents will have access to better living conditions with working carbon monoxide detectors and access to phones.