SRC-HRD S.B. 964 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 964 By: Ratliff Finance 4-2-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, and the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners are required to submit names of all licensees to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) on a monthly basis so that DPS can perform monthly criminal history checks. This bill amends current law to require these criminal history checks to be performed on a yearly basis rather than on a monthly basis. In addition, this bill allows DPS to charge the licensing agency a fee for each computer match performed. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 964 requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to perform, at least yearly, a computer match of the licensing list against the convictions maintained in the computerized criminal history system. In addition, this bill authorizes DPS to charge the licensing agency a fee for each computer match. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Article 60.061(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, to require the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to perform at least yearly, rather than monthly, a computer match of the licensing list against the convictions maintained in the computerized criminal history system. Authorizes DPS to charge the licensing agency a fee for each computer match performed under this subsection. Requires the fee to be in the amount prescribed by Section 411.088, Government Code, for processing an inquiry for criminal history record information. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.