1. (a) A regional health care program may be operated subject to the direct governance of the commissioners courts of the participating counties or, for a program operating under Section 75.051(c), a nonprofit organization. A local health care program may be operated subject to the direct governance of the commissioners court of the participating county. A regional or local health care program may be operated by a joint council, tax-exempt nonprofit entity, or other entity that:

   1. (1) operates the program under a contract with the commissioners court or courts, as applicable;
   2. (2) is an entity in which the county or counties participate or that is established or designated by the commissioners court or courts, as applicable, to operate the program; or
   3. (3) for a program operating under Section 75.051(c), is a participating nonprofit organization.
2. (b) In selecting an entity described by Subsection (a)(1) or (2) to operate a regional or local health care program, the commissioners court or courts, as applicable, shall require, to the extent possible, that the entity be authorized under federal law to accept donations on a basis that is tax-deductible or otherwise tax-advantaged for the contributor.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 268 (S.B. 10), Sec. 13(a), eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 739 (H.B. 2655), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.