By: Zaffirini  S.B. No. 138
         (In the Senate - Filed November 30, 2012; January 29, 2013,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Business and Commerce;
  February 5, 2013, reported favorably by the following vote:  
  Yeas 8, Nays 0; February 5, 2013, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to procedures for filing complaints with, and providing
  notice of certain violations to, the Texas Board of Professional
  Geoscientists.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1002.201, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1002.201.  PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION. (a)  The board
  shall:
               (1)  prepare information of public interest
  describing:
                     (A)  the regulatory functions of the board; and
                     (B)  the board's procedures by which complaints
  are filed with and resolved by the board; and
               (2)  make the information available to the public and
  appropriate state agencies.
         (b)  The board shall maintain on the board's Internet
  website:
               (1)  information regarding the procedure for filing a
  complaint with the board; and
               (2)  a means by which a person may electronically file a
  complaint with the board.
         SECTION 2.  Section 1002.202, Occupations Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d-1) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  A complaint from a member of the public must be:
               (1)  in writing;
               (2)  sworn to by the person making the complaint; and
               (3)  filed with the secretary-treasurer or
  electronically through the board's Internet website.
         (d-1)  The board shall accept a complaint regardless of
  whether the complaint is notarized.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter E, Chapter 1002, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 1002.206 and 1002.207 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 1002.206.  COMPLAINT EDUCATION. (a)  In this section,
  "state agency" has the meaning assigned by Section 57.001.
         (b)  The board shall work with each state agency that uses
  the services of a person licensed under this chapter and other
  appropriate state agencies as determined by the board, including a
  state agency with which the board has entered into a memorandum of
  understanding that addresses the coordination of activities or
  complaints, to educate the agency's employees regarding the
  procedures by which complaints are filed with and resolved by the
  board.
         Sec. 1002.207.  DUTY OF STATE AGENCY TO REPORT POTENTIAL
  VIOLATION. (a)  In this section, "state agency" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 57.001.
         (b)  A state agency that becomes aware of a potential
  violation of this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter shall
  forward any information relating to the potential violation and any
  subsequently obtained information to the board.
         (c)  Information forwarded by a state agency under this
  section that is privileged or confidential remains privileged or
  confidential following receipt by the board. The privilege or
  confidentiality extends to any board communication concerning the
  information forwarded, regardless of the form, manner, or content
  of the communication.
         (d)  The forwarding of privileged or confidential
  information by a state agency does not waive a privilege in or
  create an exception to the confidentiality of the information.
         (e)  A state agency's provision of information or failure to
  provide information under this section does not give rise to a cause
  of action against the agency.
         SECTION 4.  Not later than December 1, 2013, the Texas Board
  of Professional Geoscientists shall adopt rules necessary to
  implement Sections 1002.201 and 1002.202, Occupations Code, as
  amended by this Act, and Sections 1002.206 and 1002.207,
  Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
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