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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain complaints filed against youth camps. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 141, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 141.0085 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 141.0085. REPORTS OF ABUSE. The executive |
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commissioner by rule shall establish a procedure for the department |
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to forward a report of alleged abuse of a camper that is received by |
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the department to the Department of Family and Protective Services |
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or another appropriate agency. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Sections 141.0111 and 141.0112 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 141.0111. REQUIRED NOTICE ABOUT ABUSE REPORTING. (a) |
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A youth camp operator shall provide notice to the public regarding |
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the method for reporting suspected abuse occurring at the youth |
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camp to the commission's office of inspector general. An operator |
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must provide the notice by: |
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(1) posting a conspicuous sign in at least one |
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prominent location at the youth camp that is accessible to the |
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public; |
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(2) posting the information on the youth camp's |
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publicly accessible Internet website; and |
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(3) on request, making a written copy of the |
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information available to a person. |
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(b) The department shall prescribe the content of the notice |
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required by Subsection (a). |
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Sec. 141.0112. REQUIRED NOTICE ABOUT YOUTH CAMP COMPLAINTS |
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AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS. (a) A youth camp operator shall make |
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information available to the public about a complaint of abuse |
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filed against the youth camp or the operator regarding a violation |
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of this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter that has been |
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finally adjudicated by the department, the commission's office of |
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inspector general, or another agency. The information must be |
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current and include the: |
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(1) basis for each complaint; and |
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(2) administrative outcome of each complaint, |
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including any civil or administrative penalties assessed against |
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the operator. |
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(b) Information made available to the public under this |
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section may not include any personally identifying information of a |
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person who filed a complaint or is otherwise involved in the |
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investigation of a complaint described by Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2019, the Department |
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of State Health Services shall prescribe the content of the notice |
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to the public as required by Section 141.0111, Health and Safety |
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Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. Notwithstanding Sections 141.0111 and 141.0112, |
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Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, a youth camp operator |
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is not required to comply with those sections until January 1, 2020. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |