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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-06-20
HB4743

Regular Session

Relating to the issuance of a single license for a hospital and a mobile stroke unit of the hospital.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

HB4743: Government Affairs Overview

HB4743 amends the Texas Health and Safety Code to allow hospitals to include Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs) under their existing single hospital license, effective June 20, 2025. This eliminates the need for separate licensure but strictly requires the MSU to be accredited by a CMS-approved health care accreditation organization.

Rep. Greg Bonnen·House Bill·Regular Session

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-06-20
Business Impact

Who HB4743 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: moderate

Notable regulatory updates (effective 2025-06-20). Consider how these changes may affect your operations.

🏥

Healthcare

Affected business types:

  • Hospitals
  • Healthcare systems
  • Medical practices
  • Health insurance providers
View all healthcare legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Accreditation Agreements: Review your contract with your accrediting body to ensure the MSU is explicitly listed as a surveyable site/asset.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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HB4743
Relating to the issuance of a single license for a hospital and a mobile stroke unit of the hospital.
Moderate Urgency
Unanimous Passage
House Vote146 - 0
YEA
100% in favor146 voting
Senate Vote31 - 0
YEA
100% in favor31 voting
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies
DSHSHHSC
Primary Author: Rep. Greg Bonnen
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (Note: This legislation passed with a 2/3 supermajority, triggering immediate effect and superseding the standard September 1 date).
  • Compliance Deadline: Immediate. Hospitals must include MSU data in their next scheduled license renewal or update. Accreditation must be secured *before* applying for the single license inclusion.
  • Agency Rulemaking: HHSC is mandated to adopt rules "as soon as practicable." Expect a "regulatory gray zone" between June 20 and the publication of updated DSHS licensing forms. During this interim, operate under the statute's authority and maintain accreditation proofs.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Verify Accreditation: Immediately audit your MSU's status. If it is not accredited by a CMS-approved body, initiate the process today; you cannot utilize this license structure without it.
  • 2. Update Insurance: Contact your malpractice carrier to confirm the MSU is defined as "insured premises" under the hospital's general professional liability policy, distinct from auto liability.
  • 3. Prepare Filing: If your hospital license renewal is imminent, prepare to attach MSU accreditation proofs. If forms are not yet updated by DSHS, submit a cover letter citing HB4743.
  • 4. Review Ownership: If the MSU is a joint venture, consult legal counsel to restructure "control" provisions to ensure the unit qualifies as being "of the hospital" for licensing purposes.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Vendor/Lease Agreements: If your MSU is leased or operated by a third party, amend the Master Services Agreement (MSA). You must insert a clause requiring the vendor to maintain operational standards that satisfy your specific CMS-approved accrediting body (e.g., The Joint Commission, DNV).
  • Accreditation Agreements: Review your contract with your accrediting body to ensure the MSU is explicitly listed as a surveyable site/asset.

Hiring/Training

  • Credentialing Alignment: Ensure clinical staff operating within the MSU are credentialed specifically under the hospital’s primary license. The legal distinction between the "field" and the "hospital" has been removed for these units.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Proof of Accreditation: You must obtain and file a distinct certificate or formal attestation of accreditation for the MSU. This document is now a mandatory attachment for your DSHS license application.
  • Asset Ledger: Update the hospital's organizational chart and asset ledger to reflect the MSU as a department of the hospital, not an affiliate, to satisfy the "of the hospital" statutory language.

Fees & Costs

  • Fee Exemption: The law explicitly exempts MSUs from the additional per-premise licensing fees typically charged for multiple locations under one license. There is no added state licensing fee for consolidating the MSU.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Geographic Radius: Current statute requires hospital buildings to be within 30 miles of the main campus to share a license. While logic dictates this should not apply to a *mobile* unit, the statute does not explicitly exempt MSUs from the 30-mile rule. Watch for HHSC rulemaking to clarify if the MSU must be "garaged" within 30 miles of the main hospital.
  • Definition of "Of the Hospital": The phrase "mobile stroke unit of the hospital" is undefined. Joint ventures or timeshare arrangements where ownership is split between multiple hospital systems are legally risky until HHSC defines the required level of ownership or control.

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JD Key Consulting specializes in Texas regulatory compliance strategy. Work directly with James Dickey—former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas—to understand this bill's impact on your operations and develop an actionable compliance plan.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Mar 13, 2025
Passed House
May 8, 2025
Passed Senate
May 26, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsHospitalsHealth & Human Services CommissionHealthHealth--other Diseases & Medical Conditions
03

House Authors

Rep. Greg BonnenRepublican · Primary Author
Joint Authors

Senate Sponsors

Sen. Donna CampbellRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

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More from Rep. Greg Bonnen

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Related by Topic

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB4743

Q

What does Texas HB4743 do?

HB4743 amends the Texas Health and Safety Code to allow hospitals to include Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs) under their existing single hospital license, effective June 20, 2025. This eliminates the need for separate licensure but strictly requires the MSU to be accredited by a CMS-approved health care accreditation organization.

Q

Who authored HB4743?

HB4743 was authored by Texas Representative Greg Bonnen during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB4743 signed into law?

HB4743 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB4743?

HB4743 is enforced by Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

Q

How significant are the changes in HB4743?

The regulatory priority for HB4743 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB4743?

The cost impact of HB4743 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB4743 address?

HB4743 addresses topics including hospitals, health & human services commission, health and health--other diseases & medical conditions.

Q

What are the key dates for HB4743?

Key dates for HB4743: Effective date is 2025-06-20. Rulemaking: Adopt rules to implement the single license issuance for hospitals and mobile stroke units. (As soon as practicable after 2025-06-20). Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Q

Which Texas businesses are affected by HB4743?

HB4743 primarily affects healthcare providers and medical facilities. These businesses should review the legislation with their legal and compliance teams to understand potential impacts.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026