S.B. No. 188         AN ACT   relating to criminal history record information checks for   applicants for employment and employees of group homes; creating a   criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 9, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by adding Chapter 769 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 769. REGULATION OF CERTAIN GROUP HOMES          Sec. 769.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "group home"   means an establishment that:                (1)  provides, in one or more buildings, lodging to   three or more residents who are unrelated by blood or marriage to   the owner of the establishment; and                (2)  provides those residents with community meals,   light housework, meal preparation, transportation, grocery   shopping, money management, laundry services, or assistance with   self-administration of medication but does not provide personal   care services as defined by Section 247.002.          Sec. 769.002.  EXEMPTIONS. This chapter does not apply to:                (1)  a person who holds a license issued under Chapter   142, 242, 246, 247, or 252;                (2)  a person, establishment, or facility exempt from   licensing under Section 142.003(a)(19), 242.003(3), or 247.004(4);                (3)  a hotel as defined by Section 156.001, Tax Code;                (4)  a retirement community;                (5)  a monastery or convent;                (6)  a child-care facility as defined by Section   42.002, Human Resources Code;                (7)  a family violence shelter center as defined by   Section 51.002, Human Resources Code; or                (8)  a sorority or fraternity house or other dormitory   associated with an institution of higher education.          Sec. 769.003.  CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION   REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICANTS AND EMPLOYEES; CRIMINAL PENALTY.  (a)     An owner or operator of a group home shall obtain criminal history   record information maintained by the Department of Public Safety of   the State of Texas on each individual who is an applicant for   employment with or an employee of the group home.          (b)  An owner or operator of a group home may not hire or   continue to employ an individual for whom the owner or operator   obtains criminal history record information on the applicant's or   employee's conviction of an offense under Chapter 19, 20, 20A, 21,   22, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 33A, 34, 35, 35A, or 71, Penal Code,   or Section 48.015, 48.02, 48.03, or 48.04, Penal Code, or any other   offense punishable as a Class A misdemeanor or a felony.          (c)  An owner or operator of a group home who violates   Subsection (b) commits an offense. An offense under this section is   a Class A misdemeanor.          SECTION 2.  Section 769.003, Health and Safety Code, as   added by this Act, applies only to an application for employment   submitted on or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 188 passed the Senate on   April 27, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays 2.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 188 passed the House on   May 9, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 114, Nays 28, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor