By: Lambert H.B. No. 3510
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to authorizing the Texas Finance Commission to ensure that
  employees of regulated entities may work from home under certain
  circumstances.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 11, Finance Code, is amended by adding
  Subdivision Section 11.301 to read as follows:
         Section 11.301. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
  under the laws of the state of Texas, the Finance Commission shall
  ensure that any employee of a person or entity licensed by an agency
  within the scope of this Chapter shall be authorized to work from
  home or another location selected by the employee ("Remote
  Location"), provided the licensee:
         (a)  Ensures all in-person customer interactions will be
  conducted at the physical location;
         (b)  Maintains appropriate safeguards for licensee and
  consumer data, information, and records, including the use of
  secure virtual private networks ("VPNs") where appropriate;
         (c)  Employs appropriate risk-based monitoring and oversight
  processes of work performed from a Remote Location, and maintains
  records of the same;
         (d)  Ensures consumer information and records are not
  maintained at a Remote Location;
         (e)  Ensures consumer and licensee information and records
  remain accessible and available for regulatory oversight and exams;
         (f)  Provides appropriate employee training to keep all
  conversations about, and with, consumers conducted from a Remote
  Location confidential, as if conducted from a commercial location,
  and to ensure remote employees work in an environment conducive and
  appropriate to that privacy.
         SECTION 2.  The Finance Commission may adopt rules regarding
  the provisions of this chapter.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.