SRC-VRA S.B. 1459 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1459 78R7036 YDB-FBy: Lindsay Intergovernmental Relations 4/7/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law authorizes a variety of state and local governmental entities to request criminal history record information from the Texas Department of Public Safety on job applicants to ensure that criminals are not performing vital government functions such as public safety responsibilities. County fire marshals coordinate the delivery of essential fire and emergency medical services for unincorporated areas of counties and would like to be able to screen potential employees of these agencies for criminal history. As proposed, S.B. 1459 authorizes a county fire marshal to request criminal history record information on potential employees of their agencies and other fire and emergency medical services agencies in unincorporated areas of the county and to share that information with those agencies. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 411F, Government Code, by adding Section 411.1237, as follows: Sec. 411.1237. ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION: COUNTY FIRE MARSHALS. (a) Provides that a county fire marshal is entitled to obtain criminal history record information from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) on members of fire or emergency medical services agencies in unincorporated areas of the county. (b) Authorizes a county fire marshal to disclose the criminal history record information to DPS chief or chief executive of the requesting fire department or emergency medical services provider. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.