On the heels of a fatal fire that killed four people in San Antonio last week, there's a new push to enforce an existing law that regulates group homes.
State Representative Jose Menedez fears more lives might be lost in group homes unless more is done to keep an eye on unlicensed facilities.
He says local government has yet to enforce a state law that was adopted nearly four years ago to regulate group homes and keep them up to code.
A 2009 Texas state law gave the city power to regulate facilities like this group home in the 300 block of West Norwood. Four people died in a massive fire there last week.
Menendez says its likely zoning issues have stalled the city from coming up with an ordinance to regulate unlicensed adult care facilities. In light of last week's tragedy at a home for mentally disabled men, Menendez met Monday morning with San Antonio's Assistant City Attorney to get the ball rolling on a task force.
"Unfortunately after the tragedy they are going to move a little more quickly," said Rep. Menendez.
Arson and state investigators along with code compliance continue to comb through their inspection records.
