Amend CSHB 2730 (Senate committee report) by adding the 
following appropriately numbered article to the bill and 
renumbering subsequent articles of the bill accordingly:

ARTICLE ___. ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF OBTAINING CRIMINAL HISTORY 
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION OF PRIVATE VENDORS TO OBTAIN CRIMINAL 
HISTORY INFORMATION
	SECTION __.01.  Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, 
is amended by adding Section 411.0852 to read as follows:
	Sec. 411.0852.  PRIVATE VENDORS PROVIDING CRIMINAL HISTORY 
RECORD INFORMATION; REGISTRATION OF VENDORS.  (a)  In this section:
		(1)  "Commission" means the Texas Commission of 
Licensing and Regulation.
		(2)  "Department" means the Texas Department of 
Licensing and Regulation.
		(3)  "Private vendor" means a person registered under 
this section to obtain both criminal history record information and 
identity verification through electronic-based data records for an 
entity authorized or required under the laws of this state to obtain 
criminal history record information, including national criminal 
history record information, regarding a person.
	(b)  An entity authorized or required under the laws of this 
state to obtain criminal history record information, including 
national criminal history record information, regarding a person 
may elect, as an alternative, to contract with a private vendor 
registered under this section to obtain both the criminal history 
record information and identity verification through 
electronic-based data records.  If a governmental entity is 
required to obtain criminal history record information or verify a 
person's identity using the person's fingerprints, a private vendor 
with whom the state agency has contracted under this section must 
obtain the  criminal history record information from the Department 
of Public Safety or verify the person's identity with the 
Department of Public Safety.
	(c)  The commission by rule shall develop criteria for a 
vendor to register with the state to provide criminal history 
record information and perform identity verification.  In 
developing the criteria, the commission shall consult with law 
enforcement officials and industry experts to ascertain the latest 
trends in and technologies available for conducting criminal 
background checks and identity verification. The commission may 
annually update the criteria based on the latest trends and the 
latest technologies available in conducting criminal background 
checks.
	(d)  A private vendor may not provide criminal history record 
information or perform identity verification for any entity 
authorized or required under the laws of this state to obtain the 
information or verification unless the vendor is registered in 
accordance with this section and rules adopted under this section.  
A vendor must submit to the department on the form prescribed by the 
department an application requesting registration to provide 
criminal history record information and perform identity 
verification for entities required or authorized to obtain criminal 
history record information.
	(e)  The commission shall set fees in an amount sufficient to 
cover the costs to administer this section.
	(f)  A vendor registered by the department under this section 
may annually renew the registration by payment of a renewal fee and 
submitting to the department a renewal application on the form 
prescribed by the department.
	(g)  The vendor shall report the results of a criminal 
background check and identity verification to the contracting 
entity by e-mail or other method approved by the department.  The 
vendor's report must be viewable to the contracting entity through 
a secure Internet website.
	(h)  A person who violates this section or a rule or order 
issued under this section is subject to administrative penalties, 
civil penalties, and other penalties and enforcement proceedings 
under Chapter 51, Occupations Code.
	(i)  The commission shall issue orders and adopt rules and 
criminal conviction guidelines necessary to ensure compliance with 
this section.
	SECTION __.02.  Not later than April 1, 2010, the Texas 
Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall develop criteria for 
registering a vendor to perform criminal background checks and 
identity verification under Section 411.0852, Government Code, as 
added by this article.
	SECTION __.03.  Notwithstanding Section 411.0852(d), 
Government Code, as added by this article, a private vendor is not 
required to register with the Texas Department of Licensing and 
Regulation to provide criminal history record information or 
perform identity verifications before July 1, 2010.
	SECTION __.04.  Section 411.0852, Government Code, as added 
by this Act, applies only to a contract entered into, renewed, or 
extended, on or after July 1, 2010.  A contract entered into, 
renewed, or extended, before July 1, 2010, is governed by the law in 
effect when the contract was entered into, renewed, or extended and 
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.