Did You Know? A New Texas Law Requires Licensees to Post Consumer Rights Information
(Pause for a paced breathing break — we’ve got you.)
If you’ve ever read a legislative update and felt your shoulders creep toward your ears, you’re not alone. Regulatory changes can feel overwhelming, especially when they land mid-practice, mid-caseload, mid-everything.
So let’s slow this down, take a collective breath, and break it into manageable pieces.
House Bill 4224 (89th Regular Session) went into effect on September 1, 2025, and it introduces new transparency requirements for Texas health care licensees regulated by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC).
Below, we’ll walk through:
What changed
What it means for BHEC licensees
A very realistic, baby-step action plan you can actually use
What Changed?
Under Section 181.105 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, House Bill 4224 requires licensees to prominently post instructions for consumers explaining how to:
Request copies of their health care records from the licensee
Contact the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) via the Council’s Contact Us webpage
File a consumer complaint through the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection webpage
These instructions must be posted in two places:
On your website, and
At any physical facility where you provide services
(Yes, both. No, you’re not the only one who had to read that twice.)
What Does This Mean for BHEC Licensees?
At its core, this law is about consumer transparency — making sure clients don’t have to hunt for information about their rights or regulatory options.
Practically speaking, this means:
The information must be easy to find (not buried in a long policy page)
The language should be clear and client-friendly
The posting should be visible and intentional, not an afterthought
A Note on Questions About HB 4224
If you have questions about how this law applies to your practice, BHEC has requested that all inquiries be submitted through the Council’s Contact Us webpage.
A Baby-Step Action Plan (Because No One Needs Another Overhaul Right Now)
Let’s keep this realistic.
Step 1: Website check
Confirm your website includes:
Instructions for requesting records
A link or direction to contact BHEC
A link or direction to file a consumer complaint with the OAG
Many practices place this under “Client Resources,” “Your Rights,” “Policies,” or something similar.
Step 2: Office visibility (one small task)
If you have a physical office:
Add a simple printed notice or sign in a visible area
Clear, readable, and not hidden behind a plant (we’ve all seen it)
Step 3: Save your work
Keep a copy of what you posted. Not because you expect a problem — but because documentation is a form of self-care in regulatory land.
(Pause. Unclench jaw. Continue.)
Why This Is Worth Your Attention
This requirement isn’t about changing how you practice clinically. It’s about ensuring clients have access to information they’re already entitled to — and protecting licensees by making expectations explicit and consistent.
Handled thoughtfully, it supports:
Trust
Informed consent
Ethical transparency
All things that we clinicians are aiming for anyway.
Final Thought
Regulatory updates will continue to evolve — but you don’t have to tackle them all at once, or alone. Small, intentional steps go a long way toward staying grounded, compliant, and focused on the work that actually matters.
We’ll keep breaking things down so you can spend less time decoding statutes and more time practicing.
A Quick Disclaimer (Because It Matters)
WisePractice Institute is not a law firm, and this post does not constitute legal advice. We are practicing clinicians and educators who aim to translate regulatory information into practical, accessible guidance for fellow professionals. Licensees are ultimately responsible for understanding and complying with applicable laws and board rules, and may wish to consult legal counsel for practice-specific questions.