87R12511 MCF-D     By: Miles S.B. No. 1630       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   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.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                (1)  "Group home" means an establishment:                      (A)  in which three or more individuals who are   unrelated to the owner or operator of the establishment reside;                      (B)  that provides residential care services to   residents; and                      (C)  that receives payment or other compensation   from a local, state, or federal governmental entity for providing   residential care services to a resident.                (2)  "Residential care services" means shelter,   protection, meals, health care, mobility assistance, and personal   care services, including bathing, dressing, and eating.          Sec. 769.002.  EMPLOYEES AND APPLICANTS CONVICTED OF CERTAIN   OFFENSES; CRIMINAL PENALTY.  (a)  An owner or operator of a group   home must obtain criminal history record information maintained by   the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas that relates   to an 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 employee's or   applicant's conviction of an offense that is a Class A or B   misdemeanor or a felony.          (c)  An owner or operator who violates Subsection (b) commits   an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.          SECTION 2.  Section 769.002, 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, 2021.