87R2656 MTB-D

By: Seliger S.B. No. 922

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to contracts for fingerprinting services entered into by the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 411.0865 to read as follows:

Sec. 411.0865. CONTRACTS FOR FINGERPRINTING SERVICES. (a) If the department enters into a contract with a vendor to provide fingerprinting services throughout this state for use in accessing criminal history record information, including a contract entered into under Section 2157.068, the department shall:

(1) include in the contract a provision that:

(A) requires notice to the public of a closure of a location providing fingerprinting services at least 45 days before the date on which the location closes;

(B) requires a mobile unit to provide fingerprinting services in or near the area of a location that closes until a replacement location is opened at full capacity; and

(C) allows the department to contract with a second vendor to provide fingerprinting services or to provide fingerprinting services by other means if the department determines that the original vendor has not fulfilled the contract in a reasonable manner; and

(2) annually review and prepare a report on the services provided by the vendor under the contract that includes a determination on the vendor's ability to adequately address the need for fingerprinting services throughout this state based on:

(A) the availability of fingerprinting appointments throughout this state, including any wait times for appointments at locations; and

(B) a study of the miles required to travel throughout this state in order to receive fingerprinting services and whether there are short-term or chronic gaps in coverage in certain areas of this state.

(b) The department shall provide the report prepared under Subsection (a)(2) to the governor and members of the legislature.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a contract for which the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas first advertises or otherwise solicits bids, proposals, offers, or qualifications or makes a similar solicitation on or after the effective date of this Act. A contract for which the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas first advertises or otherwise solicits bids, proposals, offers, or qualifications or makes a similar solicitation before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the advertisement or solicitation is made, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.