By: Murphy H.B. No. 4372

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain complaints filed against youth camps.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 141, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 141.0085 to read as follows:

Sec. 141.0085. REPORTS OF ABUSE. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish a procedure for the department to forward a report of alleged abuse of a camper that is received by the department to the Department of Family and Protective Services or another appropriate agency.

SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Sections 141.0111 and 141.0112 to read as follows:

Sec. 141.0111. REQUIRED NOTICE ABOUT ABUSE REPORTING. (a) A youth camp operator shall provide notice to the public regarding the method for reporting suspected abuse occurring at the youth camp to the commission's office of inspector general. An operator must provide the notice by:

(1) posting a conspicuous sign in at least one prominent location at the youth camp that is accessible to the public;

(2) posting the information on the youth camp's publicly accessible Internet website; and

(3) on request, making a written copy of the information available to a person.

(b) The department shall prescribe the content of the notice required by Subsection (a).

Sec. 141.0112. REQUIRED NOTICE ABOUT YOUTH CAMP COMPLAINTS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS. (a) A youth camp operator shall make information available to the public about a complaint of abuse filed against the youth camp or the operator regarding a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter that has been finally adjudicated by the department, the commission's office of inspector general, or another agency. The information must be current and include the:

(1) basis for each complaint; and

(2) administrative outcome of each complaint, including any civil or administrative penalties assessed against the operator.

(b) Information made available to the public under this section may not include any personally identifying information of a person who filed a complaint or is otherwise involved in the investigation of a complaint described by Subsection (a).

SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2019, the Department of State Health Services shall prescribe the content of the notice to the public as required by Section 141.0111, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. Notwithstanding Sections 141.0111 and 141.0112, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, a youth camp operator is not required to comply with those sections until January 1, 2020.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.