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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the licensing and regulation of certain drug and |
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alcohol related court-ordered educational programs; providing |
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administrative penalties; requiring occupational licenses; |
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authorizing fees; creating criminal offenses. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Title 2, Government Code, is amended by adding |
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Subtitle M to read as follows: |
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SUBTITLE M. COURT PROGRAMS REGULATION |
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CHAPTER 171. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS REGULATED BY TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF |
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LICENSING AND REGULATION |
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SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 171.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Alcohol educational program for minors" means an |
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alcohol awareness program described by Section 106.115, Alcoholic |
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Beverage Code. |
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(2) "Certificate of program completion" means a |
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uniform, serially numbered certificate that is given by a program |
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provider to a participant who successfully completes a |
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court-ordered program. |
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(3) "Commission" means the Texas Commission of |
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Licensing and Regulation. |
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(4) "Court-ordered program" means any of the following |
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programs: |
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(A) the alcohol educational program for minors; |
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(B) the drug offense educational program; |
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(C) the intervention program for intoxication |
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offenses; or |
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(D) the educational program for intoxication |
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offenses. |
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(5) "Department" means the Texas Department of |
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Licensing and Regulation. |
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(6) "Drug offense educational program" means an |
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educational program described by Section 521.374(a)(1), |
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Transportation Code. |
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(7) "Educational program for intoxication offenses" |
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means an educational program described by Article 42A.403, Code of |
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Criminal Procedure. |
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(8) "Executive director" means the executive director |
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of the department. |
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(9) "Instructor" means a person licensed by the |
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department to instruct a court-ordered program. |
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(10) "Intervention program for intoxication offenses" |
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means an educational program described by Article 42A.404, Code of |
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Criminal Procedure. |
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(11) "Participant" means a person who attends, takes, |
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or completes a court-ordered program. |
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(12) "Program provider" means a person licensed by the |
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department to offer or provide a court-ordered program. |
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Sec. 171.0002. APPLICABILITY. This chapter does not affect |
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a court’s jurisdiction or authority to require court-ordered |
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programs. A court may specify the type and format of the |
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court-ordered program that must be completed by the individual. |
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SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT, AND |
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
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Sec. 171.0051. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The commission, |
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department, or executive director, as appropriate, shall |
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administer and enforce this chapter. |
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Sec. 171.0052. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT. The |
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department shall: |
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(1) prescribe the application form for a license under |
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this chapter; |
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(2) evaluate the qualifications of applicants; and |
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(3) enforce minimum standards applicable to program |
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providers, instructors, and court-ordered programs. |
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Sec. 171.0053. RULES. (a) The commission shall adopt rules |
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necessary to administer and enforce this chapter. The rules |
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regulating court-ordered programs under this chapter must include: |
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(1) the criteria for program administration; |
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(2) the structure, length, content, and manner of |
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program delivery; |
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(3) the criteria for a participant to successfully |
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complete the program; |
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(4) maintenance of program and participant records; |
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(5) reports to be filed with the department; and |
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(6) the use of supplemental educational materials. |
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(b) The commission may adopt rules for court-ordered |
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programs related to: |
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(1) program security and attendance verification; |
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(2) participant privacy; |
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(3) the conduct of instructors; |
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(4) teaching requirements for instructors; and |
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(5) participant evaluations, screenings, and exit |
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interviews. |
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(c) The commission may require different information to be |
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reported for each type of court-ordered program. |
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(d) The commission may consult with other state agencies in |
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the development of rules under this section. |
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Sec. 171.0054. FEES. (a) The commission by rule shall set |
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fees in amounts that are reasonable and necessary to cover the costs |
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of administering and enforcing this chapter, which may include fees |
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for: |
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(1) the issuance or renewal of a license; |
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(2) instructor training courses, materials, and any |
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applicable examinations or end-of-course assessments; |
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(3) instructor continuing education courses; |
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(4) the issuance of a certificate of program |
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completion or a certificate number; and |
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(5) the curricula and materials used for a |
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court-ordered program. |
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(b) A fee imposed by the department under this chapter is |
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not refundable. |
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(c) The department or the department's authorized |
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representative may collect a fee imposed under this chapter. An |
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authorized representative of the department may charge a fee only |
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in accordance with the terms of a contract with the department. |
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Sec. 171.0055. FORMAT OF COURT-ORDERED PROGRAM. A provider |
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may offer a court-ordered program under this chapter in-person or |
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online. |
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Sec. 171.0056. CODE OF ETHICS. The commission shall adopt |
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and publish a code of ethics for license holders. |
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Sec. 171.0057. ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF PROGRAM |
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INFORMATION. The department may develop and implement procedures |
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to electronically transmit information regarding court-ordered |
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programs to municipal and justice courts. |
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Sec. 171.0058. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. The department |
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may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of |
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Public Safety, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas |
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Department of Criminal Justice, the Health and Human Services |
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Commission, the Department of State Health Services, the Office of |
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Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System, or any other |
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appropriate state agency regarding the development of rules, |
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curricula, certificates of program completion, or certificate |
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numbers for court-ordered programs. |
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SUBCHAPTER C. PROGRAM PROVIDER LICENSE REQUIREMENTS |
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Sec. 171.0101. PROGRAM PROVIDER LICENSE REQUIRED. A person |
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may not provide or offer to provide a court-ordered program unless |
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the person holds a program provider license issued under this |
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chapter. |
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Sec. 171.0102. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM |
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PROVIDER LICENSE. (a) The commission by rule shall establish |
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eligibility requirements and criteria for the issuance of a program |
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provider license under this chapter. |
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(b) The commission by rule may establish eligibility |
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requirements based on: |
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(1) the type of court-ordered program the applicant |
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seeks to provide; |
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(2) whether the program is offered in-person or |
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online; |
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(3) if the program is offered in-person, the location |
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where the program will be provided; and |
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(4) the location of the applicant's headquarters and |
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any branch locations. |
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Sec. 171.0103. PROGRAM PROVIDER LICENSE ENDORSEMENTS. (a) |
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A license for a program provider must be endorsed with one or more |
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of the following classifications: |
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(1) the alcohol educational program for minors; |
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(2) the drug offense educational program; |
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(3) the educational program for intoxication |
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offenses; or |
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(4) the intervention program for intoxication |
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offenses. |
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(b) A license holder may not provide a court-ordered program |
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for which the person's license is not endorsed. |
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Sec. 171.0104. ISSUANCE OF PROGRAM PROVIDER LICENSE. The |
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department shall issue a program provider license to an applicant |
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who: |
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(1) meets the eligibility requirements and criteria |
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established by commission rule; |
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(2) submits a completed application to the department |
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on the form prescribed by the department; and |
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(3) pays the nonrefundable license application fee set |
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by the commission. |
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SUBCHAPTER D. INSTRUCTOR LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND ISSUANCE |
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Sec. 171.0151. INSTRUCTOR LICENSE REQUIRED. A person may |
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not instruct or represent that the person is an instructor of a |
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court-ordered program to which this chapter applies unless the |
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person holds an instructor license issued under this subchapter |
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with the appropriate endorsement for that program. |
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Sec. 171.0152. ISSUANCE OF INSTRUCTOR LICENSE. (a) The |
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department shall issue an instructor license for a particular |
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court-ordered program to an applicant who: |
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(1) meets the eligibility requirements and criteria |
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established by commission rule; |
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(2) submits a completed application to the department |
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on the form prescribed by the department; |
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(3) successfully completes the instructor training |
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course and any applicable examinations or end-of-course |
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assessments under Section 171.0155; and |
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(4) pays the license application fee. |
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(b) An instructor shall carry the instructor license at all |
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times while providing instruction at a court-ordered program. |
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Sec. 171.0153. INSTRUCTOR LICENSE ENDORSEMENTS. (a) An |
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instructor license must be endorsed with one or more of the |
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following classifications: |
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(1) the alcohol educational program for minors; |
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(2) the drug offense educational program; |
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(3) the educational program for intoxication |
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offenses; or |
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(4) the intervention program for intoxication |
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offenses. |
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(b) A license holder may not instruct a court-ordered |
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program for which the person's license is not endorsed. |
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Sec. 171.0154. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTRUCTOR |
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LICENSE. The commission by rule shall establish requirements for |
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the issuance of an instructor license under this chapter. The |
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commission by rule may establish eligibility criteria for |
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instructors based on the type of court-ordered program for which |
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the applicant seeks an endorsement, including education and |
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experience requirements. |
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Sec. 171.0155. INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSE; EXAMINATION OR |
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ASSESSMENT. (a) The commission by rule shall establish the |
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requirements for the instructor training course and any applicable |
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examinations or end-of-course assessments. |
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(b) The department or the department's authorized |
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representative shall provide the training course and administer |
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examinations for applicants for an instructor license. |
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(c) The applicant must pay all fees associated with the |
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instructor training course and any applicable examinations or |
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end-of-course assessments. |
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SUBCHAPTER E. RESTRICTIONS ON LICENSE |
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Sec. 171.0201. LICENSE NOT TRANSFERABLE. A license issued |
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under this chapter is not transferable or assignable. |
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Sec. 171.0202. PROGRAM PROVIDER CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP. Not |
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less than 30 days before the date of a change in ownership of a |
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program provider, the proposed new owner must apply for a new |
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program provider license with an endorsement for each type of |
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court-ordered program to be offered by the new owner. |
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SUBCHAPTER F. LICENSE TERM AND RENEWAL |
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Sec. 171.0251. LICENSE TERM. A license issued under this |
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chapter is valid for one or two years from the date of issuance as |
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prescribed by commission rule. |
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Sec. 171.0252. LICENSE RENEWAL. The commission by rule |
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shall establish the requirements for renewing a license issued |
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under this chapter, including the payment of applicable fees. |
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Sec. 171.0253. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR RENEWAL OF |
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INSTRUCTOR LICENSE. The commission by rule shall establish the |
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minimum number of hours of continuing education that a license |
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holder must complete to renew an instructor license issued under |
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Subchapter D. The commission may require a different number of |
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hours of continuing education for each type of court-ordered |
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program for which the license holder holds an endorsement. |
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SUBCHAPTER G. REQUIREMENTS FOR COURT-ORDERED PROGRAMS |
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Sec. 171.0301. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COURT-ORDERED |
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PROGRAMS. (a) The department or the department's authorized |
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representative shall develop the curriculum and educational |
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materials to be used for each court-ordered program. |
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(b) A court-ordered program must be: |
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(1) provided by a program provider licensed for the |
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type of program; |
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(2) taught by an instructor with the appropriate |
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endorsement for the program using curriculum approved by the |
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department; and |
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(3) delivered in the program format or at the location |
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approved by the department. |
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(c) A program provider may only employ or contract with an |
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instructor who holds a license with an endorsement for the program |
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being provided. |
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Sec. 171.0302. DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED. A program |
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provider or instructor may not discriminate against participants |
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based on sex, race, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, or |
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disability. |
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Sec. 171.0303. CERTIFICATE OF PROGRAM COMPLETION. (a) The |
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department shall issue or provide for the issuance of a certificate |
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of program completion or certificate number showing completion of a |
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court-ordered program. |
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(b) The commission by rule shall provide for the form, |
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design, content, and distribution of certificates of program |
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completion and certificate numbers. |
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(c) The commission by rule shall adopt a system for program |
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providers to provide for the appropriate care, custody, and control |
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of certificates of program completion and certificate numbers. |
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(d) The commission by rule shall establish requirements |
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regarding the submission of a copy of a certificate of program |
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completion or certificate number to the appropriate court, state |
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agency, or community supervision and corrections department. |
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(e) A program provider shall submit to the department |
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information regarding programs, instructors, and participants. |
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The commission may require different information to be reported for |
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each type of court-ordered program. |
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(f) A program provider shall submit to the department |
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required information relating to certificates of program |
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completion issued by the program provider in a manner prescribed by |
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the department. |
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Sec. 171.0304. DISPLAY OF LICENSE AND DEPARTMENT CONTACT |
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INFORMATION. The commission by rule shall establish: |
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(1) requirements for providers and instructors |
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regarding the displaying or posting of a license or providing |
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notice of a license number to a participant of a court-ordered |
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program; and |
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(2) notification methods for providers and |
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instructors to provide a participant with the name of the |
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department, mailing address, telephone number, and Internet |
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website address for the purpose of submitting a complaint regarding |
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the court-ordered program. |
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Sec. 171.0305. ADVERTISEMENTS. The commission by rule may |
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establish requirements regarding advertisements for providers, |
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instructors, and court-ordered programs. |
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Sec. 171.0306. INFORMATION REQUIRED. A program provider |
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shall maintain and make available to participants information |
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regarding course fees, schedules, methods of course delivery, and |
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locations, as applicable, for all court-ordered programs provided |
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by the program provider. |
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SUBCHAPTER H. PROHIBITED PRACTICES AND ENFORCEMENT |
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Sec. 171.0351. PROHIBITED PRACTICES BY ALL LICENSE HOLDERS. |
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A license holder may not: |
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(1) use advertising that is false, misleading, or |
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deceptive; or |
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(2) issue, sell, trade, or transfer a certificate of |
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program completion or a certificate number to a person who has not |
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successfully completed the applicable court-ordered program or who |
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is not otherwise authorized to possess the certificate or number. |
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Sec. 171.0352. GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS. The |
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commission or executive director may deny an application for an |
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initial or renewal license, revoke or suspend a license, place on |
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probation a person whose license has been suspended, or reprimand a |
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license holder who: |
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(1) violates this chapter, a rule adopted under this |
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chapter, or an order of the commission or executive director; |
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(2) permits or engages in misrepresentation, fraud, or |
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deceit regarding a court-ordered program provided or instructed by |
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the license holder; |
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(3) engages in conduct that harms, endangers, or is |
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likely to harm or endanger the health, welfare, or safety of a |
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participant or the public as defined by commission rule; |
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(4) violates the code of ethics adopted and published |
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by the commission; or |
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(5) violates a standard of practice or conduct as |
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adopted by commission rule. |
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Sec. 171.0353. DISCIPLINARY ACTION; ADMINISTRATIVE |
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PENALTY. If a person violates this chapter or an order issued or a |
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rule adopted under this chapter, the person is subject to any action |
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or penalty under Subchapter F or G, Chapter 51, Occupations Code. |
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Sec. 171.0354. AUDITS OF PROVIDERS AND PROGRAMS. (a) The |
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department may conduct audits of the program providers and the |
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court-ordered programs to verify compliance with this chapter. |
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These audits may be conducted on-site, remotely, or through other |
|
means, and may include audits of records and courses. |
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(b) A program provider, instructor, or any person |
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associated with a court-ordered program shall: |
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(1) cooperate with the department during an audit |
|
under this section; |
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(2) provide or make available to the department any |
|
documents or records related to the audit, unless otherwise |
|
prohibited by law; and |
|
(3) provide the department with access to courses and |
|
facilities related to the audit. |
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Sec. 171.0355. INVESTIGATIONS. (a) A program provider, |
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instructor, or any person associated with a court-ordered program |
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shall: |
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(1) cooperate with the department during an |
|
investigation of a complaint under this chapter; and |
|
(2) provide or make available to the department on |
|
request any documents or records related to the investigation, |
|
including all instructor records, unless otherwise prohibited by |
|
law. |
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(b) The department may contract with the Department of |
|
Public Safety to provide investigative assistance in the |
|
enforcement of this chapter. |
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Sec. 171.0356. UNLAWFUL TRANSFER OF CERTIFICATE OF PROGRAM |
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COMPLETION OR CERTIFICATE NUMBER; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an |
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offense if the person knowingly sells, trades, issues, or otherwise |
|
transfers, or possesses with intent to sell, trade, issue, or |
|
otherwise transfer, a certificate of program completion or a |
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certificate number to a person not authorized to possess the |
|
certificate or number. |
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(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third |
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degree. |
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Sec. 171.0357. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CERTIFICATE OF |
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PROGRAM COMPLETION OR CERTIFICATE NUMBER; OFFENSE. (a) A person |
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commits an offense if the person knowingly possesses a certificate |
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of program completion or a certificate number that the person is not |
|
authorized to possess under this chapter. |
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(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third |
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degree. |
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SECTION 2. The heading to Section 106.115, Alcoholic |
|
Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 106.115. ATTENDANCE AT ALCOHOL AWARENESS PROGRAM |
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[COURSE]; LICENSE SUSPENSION. |
|
SECTION 3. Section 106.115, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b-2) and adding |
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Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: |
|
(a) On the placement of a minor on deferred disposition for |
|
an offense under Section 49.02, Penal Code, or under Section |
|
106.02, 106.025, 106.04, 106.041, 106.05, or 106.07, the court |
|
shall require the defendant to successfully complete one of the |
|
following programs: |
|
(1) [attend] an alcohol awareness program [approved by |
|
the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation] under this |
|
section that is regulated under Chapter 171, Government Code; |
|
(2) [,] a drug education program under [approved by |
|
the Department of State Health Services in accordance with] Section |
|
521.374(a)(1) [521.374], Transportation Code, that is regulated |
|
under Chapter 171, Government Code; or |
|
(3) a drug and alcohol driving awareness program under |
|
Section 1001.103, Education Code [approved by the Texas Education |
|
Agency]. |
|
(a-1) On conviction of a minor of an offense under Section |
|
49.02, Penal Code, or Section 106.02, 106.025, 106.04, 106.041, |
|
106.05, or 106.07 [one or more of those sections], the court, in |
|
addition to assessing a fine as provided by those sections, shall |
|
require a defendant who has not been previously convicted of an |
|
offense under one of those sections to successfully complete |
|
[attend] an alcohol awareness program, a drug education program, or |
|
a drug and alcohol driving awareness program described by |
|
Subsection (a) [this subsection]. If the defendant has been |
|
previously convicted once or more of an offense under one or more of |
|
those sections, the court may require the defendant to successfully |
|
complete [attend] an alcohol awareness program, a drug education |
|
program, or a drug and alcohol driving awareness program described |
|
by Subsection (a) [this subsection]. |
|
(a-2) If the defendant is younger than 18 years of age, the |
|
court may require the parent or guardian of the defendant to |
|
successfully complete [attend] the program described by Subsection |
|
(a) with the defendant. [The Texas Department of Licensing and |
|
Regulation or Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, as |
|
appropriate: |
|
[(1) is responsible for the administration of the |
|
certification of approved alcohol awareness programs; |
|
[(2) may charge a nonrefundable application fee for: |
|
[(A) initial certification of the approval; or |
|
[(B) renewal of the certification; |
|
[(3) shall adopt rules regarding alcohol awareness |
|
programs approved under this section; and |
|
[(4) shall monitor, coordinate, and provide training |
|
to a person who provides an alcohol awareness program.] |
|
(b-2) For purposes of Subsection (b-1), if the defendant is |
|
enrolled in an institution of higher education located in a county |
|
in which access to an alcohol awareness program is readily |
|
available, the court may consider the defendant to be a resident of |
|
that county. If the defendant is not enrolled in such an institution |
|
of higher education or if the court does not consider the defendant |
|
to be a resident of the county in which the institution is located, |
|
the defendant's residence is the residence listed on the |
|
defendant's driver's license or personal identification |
|
certificate issued by the Department of Public Safety. If the |
|
defendant does not have a driver's license or personal |
|
identification certificate issued by the Department of Public |
|
Safety, the defendant's residence is the residence on the |
|
defendant's voter registration certificate. If the defendant is not |
|
registered to vote, the defendant's residence is the residence on |
|
file with the public school district on which the defendant's |
|
enrollment is based. If the defendant is not enrolled in public |
|
school, the defendant's residence is determined [as provided] by |
|
the court [commission rule]. |
|
SECTION 4. The heading to Article 42A.403, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 42A.403. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN INTOXICATION |
|
OFFENSES [OFFENDERS]; WAIVER OR EXTENSION OF TIME. |
|
SECTION 5. Articles 42A.403(a) and (d), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A judge who places on community supervision a defendant |
|
convicted of an offense under Sections 49.04-49.08, Penal Code, |
|
shall require as a condition of community supervision that the |
|
defendant [attend and] successfully complete, before the 181st day |
|
after the date community supervision is granted, an educational |
|
program designed to rehabilitate persons who have driven while |
|
intoxicated that is regulated [jointly approved] by[: |
|
[(1)] the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation |
|
under Chapter 171, Government Code [; |
|
[(2) the Department of Public Safety; |
|
[(3) the traffic safety section of the traffic |
|
operations division of the Texas Department of Transportation; and |
|
[(4) the community justice assistance division of the |
|
Texas Department of Criminal Justice]. |
|
(d) In determining good cause, the judge may consider but is |
|
not limited to: |
|
(1) the defendant's school and work schedule; |
|
(2) the defendant's health; |
|
(3) the distance that the defendant must travel to |
|
attend an in-person educational program; [and] |
|
(4) the fact that the defendant resides out of state, |
|
does not have a valid driver's license, or does not have access to |
|
transportation; and |
|
(5) whether the defendant has access to reliable |
|
Internet service sufficient to successfully complete an |
|
educational program offered online. |
|
SECTION 6. The heading to Article 42A.404, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 42A.404. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN REPEAT |
|
INTOXICATION OFFENSES [OFFENDERS]; WAIVER. |
|
SECTION 7. Articles 42A.404(a) and (b), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The judge shall require a defendant who is punished |
|
under Section 49.09, Penal Code, to attend and successfully |
|
complete as a condition of community supervision an educational |
|
program for repeat offenders that is regulated [approved] by the |
|
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under Chapter 171, |
|
Government Code. |
|
(b) The judge may waive the educational program requirement |
|
if the defendant by a motion in writing shows good cause. In |
|
determining good cause, the judge may consider: |
|
(1) the defendant's school and work schedule; |
|
(2) the defendant's health; |
|
(3) the distance that the defendant must travel to |
|
attend an in-person educational program; [and] |
|
(4) whether the defendant resides out of state or does |
|
not have access to transportation; and |
|
(5) whether the defendant has access to reliable |
|
Internet service sufficient to successfully complete an |
|
educational program offered online. |
|
SECTION 8. Article 42A.406(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) If a defendant is required as a condition of community |
|
supervision to successfully complete [attend] an educational |
|
program under Article 42A.403 or 42A.404, or if the court waives the |
|
educational program requirement under Article 42A.403 or the |
|
defendant successfully completes equivalent education under |
|
Article 42A.4045, the court clerk shall immediately report that |
|
fact to the Department of Public Safety, on a form prescribed by the |
|
department, for inclusion in the defendant's driving record. If |
|
the court grants an extension of time in which the defendant may |
|
complete the educational program under Article 42A.403, the court |
|
clerk shall immediately report that fact to the Department of |
|
Public Safety on a form prescribed by the department. The clerk's |
|
report under this subsection must include the beginning date of the |
|
defendant's community supervision. |
|
SECTION 9. Articles 42A.407(b) and (c), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Notwithstanding Sections 521.344(d)-(i), |
|
Transportation Code, if under Article 42A.404 the judge requires a |
|
defendant punished under Section 49.09, Penal Code, to successfully |
|
complete [attend] an educational program as a condition of |
|
community supervision, or waives the required completion of |
|
[attendance for] the program, and the defendant has previously been |
|
required to successfully complete [attend] such an educational |
|
program, or the required completion of [attendance at] the program |
|
had been waived, the judge shall order the suspension of the |
|
defendant's driver's license for a period determined by the judge |
|
according to the following schedule: |
|
(1) not less than 90 days or more than one year, if the |
|
defendant is convicted under Sections 49.04-49.08, Penal Code; |
|
(2) not less than 180 days or more than two years, if |
|
the defendant is punished under Section 49.09(a) or (b), Penal |
|
Code; or |
|
(3) not less than one year or more than two years, if |
|
the defendant is convicted of a second or subsequent offense under |
|
Sections 49.04-49.08, Penal Code, committed within five years of |
|
the date on which the most recent preceding offense was committed. |
|
(c) If the Department of Public Safety receives notice that |
|
a defendant has been required to successfully complete [attend] a |
|
subsequent educational program under Article 42A.403 or 42A.404, |
|
although the previously required completion [attendance] had been |
|
waived, but the judge has not ordered a period of suspension, the |
|
department shall: |
|
(1) suspend the defendant's driver's license; or |
|
(2) issue an order prohibiting the defendant from |
|
obtaining a license for a period of one year. |
|
SECTION 10. Article 42A.514(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) If a judge grants community supervision to a defendant |
|
younger than 18 years of age convicted of an alcohol-related |
|
offense under Section 106.02, 106.025, 106.04, 106.041, 106.05, or |
|
106.07, Alcoholic Beverage Code, or Section 49.02, Penal Code, or |
|
an offense involving possession of a controlled substance or |
|
marihuana under Section 481.115, 481.1151, 481.116, 481.1161, |
|
481.117, 481.118, or 481.121, Health and Safety Code, the judge may |
|
require the defendant as a condition of community supervision to |
|
successfully complete [attend], as appropriate: |
|
(1) an alcohol awareness program [approved] under |
|
Section 106.115, Alcoholic Beverage Code, that is regulated by the |
|
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under Chapter 171, |
|
Government Code; or |
|
(2) a drug education program that is designed to |
|
educate persons on the dangers of drug abuse [and is approved by the |
|
Department of State Health Services] in accordance with Section |
|
521.374(a)(1) [521.374], Transportation Code, and that is |
|
regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under |
|
Chapter 171, Government Code. |
|
SECTION 11. Articles 45.051(b) and (g), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) During the deferral period, the judge may require the |
|
defendant to: |
|
(1) post a bond in the amount of the fine assessed as |
|
punishment for the offense to secure payment of the fine; |
|
(2) pay restitution to the victim of the offense in an |
|
amount not to exceed the fine assessed as punishment for the |
|
offense; |
|
(3) submit to professional counseling; |
|
(4) submit to diagnostic testing for alcohol or a |
|
controlled substance or drug; |
|
(5) submit to a psychosocial assessment; |
|
(6) successfully complete [participate in] an alcohol |
|
or drug abuse treatment or education program, such as: |
|
(A) a drug education program that is designed to |
|
educate persons on the dangers of drug abuse [and is approved by the |
|
Department of State Health Services] in accordance with Section |
|
521.374(a)(1) [521.374], Transportation Code, and that is |
|
regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under |
|
Chapter 171, Government Code; or |
|
(B) an alcohol awareness program described by |
|
Section 106.115, Alcoholic Beverage Code, that is regulated by the |
|
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under Chapter 171, |
|
Government Code; |
|
(7) pay as reimbursement fees the costs of any |
|
diagnostic testing, psychosocial assessment, or participation in a |
|
treatment or education program either directly or through the court |
|
as court costs; |
|
(8) complete a driving safety course approved under |
|
Chapter 1001, Education Code, or another course as directed by the |
|
judge; |
|
(9) present to the court satisfactory evidence that |
|
the defendant has complied with each requirement imposed by the |
|
judge under this article; and |
|
(10) comply with any other reasonable condition. |
|
(g) If a judge requires a defendant under Subsection (b) to |
|
successfully complete [attend] an alcohol awareness program or drug |
|
education program as described by Subdivision (6) of that |
|
subsection, unless the judge determines that the defendant is |
|
indigent and unable to pay the cost, the judge shall require the |
|
defendant to pay a reimbursement fee for the cost of attending the |
|
program. The judge may allow the defendant to pay the fee in |
|
installments during the deferral period. |
|
SECTION 12. Sections 53.03(h-1) and (h-2), Family Code, are |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(h-1) If the child is alleged to have engaged in delinquent |
|
conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision that violates |
|
Section 481.115, 481.1151, 481.116, 481.1161, 481.117, 481.118, or |
|
481.121, Health and Safety Code, deferred prosecution under this |
|
section may include a condition that the child successfully |
|
complete [attend] a drug education program that is designed to |
|
educate persons on the dangers of drug abuse [and is approved by the |
|
Department of State Health Services] in accordance with Section |
|
521.374(a)(1) [521.374], Transportation Code, and that is |
|
regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under |
|
Chapter 171, Government Code. |
|
(h-2) If the child is alleged to have engaged in delinquent |
|
conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision that violates |
|
Section 106.02, 106.025, 106.04, 106.041, 106.05, or 106.07, |
|
Alcoholic Beverage Code, or Section 49.02, Penal Code, deferred |
|
prosecution under this section may include a condition that the |
|
child successfully complete [attend] an alcohol awareness program |
|
described by Section 106.115, Alcoholic Beverage Code, that is |
|
regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under |
|
Chapter 171, Government Code. |
|
SECTION 13. Sections 54.047(a), (b), and (f), Family Code, |
|
are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) If the court or jury finds at an adjudication hearing |
|
for a child that the child engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct |
|
indicating a need for supervision that constitutes a violation of |
|
Section 481.115, 481.1151, 481.116, 481.1161, 481.117, 481.118, or |
|
481.121, Health and Safety Code, the court may order that the child |
|
successfully complete [attend] a drug education program that is |
|
designed to educate persons on the dangers of drug abuse [and is |
|
approved by the Department of State Health Services] in accordance |
|
with Section 521.374(a)(1) [521.374], Transportation Code, and |
|
that is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and |
|
Regulation under Chapter 171, Government Code. |
|
(b) If the court or jury finds at an adjudication hearing |
|
for a child that the child engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct |
|
indicating a need for supervision that violates the alcohol-related |
|
offenses in Section 106.02, 106.025, 106.04, 106.041, 106.05, or |
|
106.07, Alcoholic Beverage Code, or Section 49.02, Penal Code, the |
|
court may order that the child successfully complete [attend] an |
|
alcohol awareness program described by Section 106.115, Alcoholic |
|
Beverage Code, that is regulated by the Texas Department of |
|
Licensing and Regulation under Chapter 171, Government Code. |
|
(f) If the court orders a child under Subsection (a) or (b) |
|
to successfully complete [attend] a drug education program or |
|
alcohol awareness program, unless the court determines that the |
|
parent or guardian of the child is indigent and unable to pay the |
|
cost, the court shall require the child's parent or a guardian of |
|
the child to pay the cost of attending the program. The court shall |
|
allow the child's parent or guardian to pay the cost of [attending] |
|
the program in installments. |
|
SECTION 14. Section 461A.052(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The department shall: |
|
(1) provide for research and study of the problems of |
|
chemical dependency in this state and seek to focus public |
|
attention on those problems through public information and |
|
education programs; |
|
(2) plan, develop, coordinate, evaluate, and |
|
implement constructive methods and programs for the prevention, |
|
intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation of chemical dependency |
|
in cooperation with federal and state agencies, local governments, |
|
organizations, and persons, and provide technical assistance, |
|
funds, and consultation services for statewide and community-based |
|
services; |
|
(3) cooperate with and enlist the assistance of: |
|
(A) other state, federal, and local agencies; |
|
(B) hospitals and clinics; |
|
(C) public health, welfare, and criminal justice |
|
system authorities; |
|
(D) educational and medical agencies and |
|
organizations; and |
|
(E) other related public and private groups and |
|
persons; |
|
(4) expand chemical dependency services for children |
|
when funds are available because of the long-term benefits of those |
|
services to this state and its citizens; |
|
(5) sponsor, promote, and conduct educational |
|
programs on the prevention and treatment of chemical dependency, |
|
and maintain a public information clearinghouse to purchase and |
|
provide books, literature, audiovisuals, and other educational |
|
material for the programs; |
|
(6) sponsor, promote, and conduct training programs |
|
for persons delivering prevention, intervention, treatment, and |
|
rehabilitation services and for persons in the criminal justice |
|
system or otherwise in a position to identify the service needs of |
|
persons with a chemical dependency and their families; |
|
(7) require programs rendering services to persons |
|
with a chemical dependency to safeguard those persons' legal rights |
|
of citizenship and maintain the confidentiality of client records |
|
as required by state and federal law; |
|
(8) maximize the use of available funds for direct |
|
services rather than administrative services; |
|
(9) consistently monitor the expenditure of funds and |
|
the provision of services by all grant and contract recipients to |
|
assure that the services are effective and properly staffed and |
|
meet the standards adopted under this chapter; |
|
(10) make the monitoring reports prepared under |
|
Subdivision (9) a matter of public record; |
|
(11) license treatment facilities under Chapter 464; |
|
(12) use funds appropriated to the department for |
|
purposes of providing chemical dependency services and related |
|
programs to carry out those purposes and maximize the overall state |
|
allotment of federal funds; |
|
(13) plan, develop, coordinate, evaluate, and |
|
implement constructive methods and programs to provide healthy |
|
alternatives for youth at risk of selling controlled substances; |
|
and |
|
(14) submit to the federal government reports and |
|
strategies necessary to comply with Section 1926 of the federal |
|
Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration |
|
Reorganization Act, Pub. L. No. 102-321 (42 U.S.C. Section |
|
300x-26), and coordinate the reports and strategies with |
|
appropriate state governmental entities[; and |
|
[(15) regulate, coordinate, and provide training for |
|
alcohol awareness courses required under Section 106.115, |
|
Alcoholic Beverage Code, and may charge a fee for an activity |
|
performed by the department under this subdivision]. |
|
SECTION 15. Section 521.374(a), Transportation Code, as |
|
amended by Chapters 838 (S.B. 202), 851 (S.B. 1070), and 1004 (H.B. |
|
642), Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, is |
|
reenacted and amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person whose license is suspended under Section |
|
521.372 may: |
|
(1) successfully complete [attend] an in-person or |
|
online educational program, approved by the Texas Department of |
|
Licensing and Regulation [Department of State Health Services] |
|
under Chapter 171, Government Code [rules adopted by the Texas |
|
Commission of Licensing and Regulation executive commissioner of |
|
the Health and Human Services Commission and the department], that |
|
is designed to educate persons on the dangers of drug abuse; or |
|
(2) successfully complete education on the dangers of |
|
drug abuse approved by the Department of State Health Services as |
|
equivalent to the educational program described by Subdivision (1), |
|
while the person is a resident of a facility for the treatment of |
|
drug abuse or chemical dependency, including: |
|
(A) a substance abuse treatment facility or |
|
substance abuse felony punishment facility operated by the Texas |
|
Department of Criminal Justice under Section 493.009, Government |
|
Code; |
|
(B) a community corrections facility, as defined |
|
by Section 509.001, Government Code; or |
|
(C) a chemical dependency treatment facility |
|
licensed under Chapter 464, Health and Safety Code. |
|
SECTION 16. Section 521.374(b), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The period of suspension or prohibition under Section |
|
521.372(c) continues for an indefinite period until the individual |
|
successfully completes the in-person or online educational program |
|
under Subsection (a)(1) or is released from the residential |
|
treatment facility at which the individual successfully completed |
|
equivalent education under Subsection (a)(2), as applicable. |
|
SECTION 17. Section 521.375, Transportation Code, as |
|
amended by Chapters 838 (S.B. 202) and 851 (S.B. 1070), Acts of the |
|
84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, is reenacted and amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 521.375. JOINT ADOPTION OF RULES. (a) The Texas |
|
Commission of Licensing and Regulation and the department shall |
|
jointly adopt rules for the qualification and approval of providers |
|
of in-person and online educational programs under Section |
|
521.374(a)(1) [521.374]. |
|
(a-1) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
|
Services Commission and the department shall jointly adopt rules |
|
for the qualification and approval of[: |
|
[(1) providers of educational programs under Section |
|
521.374(a)(1); and |
|
[(2)] equivalent education provided in a residential |
|
treatment facility described by Section 521.374(a)(2). |
|
(b) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall |
|
publish the jointly adopted rules under Subsection (a). |
|
(c) The Department of State Health Services shall publish |
|
the jointly adopted rules under Subsection (a-1). |
|
SECTION 18. Section 521.376, Transportation Code, as |
|
amended by Chapters 838 (S.B. 202) and 851 (S.B. 1070), Acts of the |
|
84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, is reenacted and amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 521.376. DUTIES OF TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND |
|
REGULATION AND DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES; APPLICATION AND |
|
RENEWAL FEES. (a) The Texas Department of Licensing and |
|
Regulation: |
|
(1) shall monitor, coordinate, and provide training to |
|
persons who provide in-person and online educational programs under |
|
Section 521.374(a)(1) [521.374]; |
|
(2) shall administer the approval of those in-person |
|
and online educational programs; and |
|
(3) may charge a nonrefundable application fee to the |
|
provider of an in-person or online educational program under |
|
Section 521.374(a)(1) for: |
|
(A) initial certification of approval; and |
|
(B) renewal of the certification. |
|
(b) The Department of State Health Services: |
|
(1) shall monitor, coordinate, and provide training |
|
to[: |
|
[(A) persons who provide educational programs |
|
under Section 521.374(a)(1); and |
|
[(B)] residential treatment facilities described |
|
by Section 521.374(a)(2) providing equivalent education; and |
|
(2) shall administer the approval of the [educational |
|
programs and the] equivalent education provided in a residential |
|
treatment facility[; and |
|
[(3) may charge a nonrefundable application fee to the |
|
provider of an educational program under Section 521.374(a)(1) for: |
|
[(A) initial certification of approval; and |
|
[(B) renewal of the certification]. |
|
SECTION 19. The following provisions are repealed: |
|
(1) Section 106.115(b), Alcoholic Beverage Code; |
|
(2) Article 42A.405, Code of Criminal Procedure; and |
|
(3) Section 54.047(e), Family Code. |
|
SECTION 20. (a) For purposes of this section, any reference |
|
in law to a license to provide or instruct a court-ordered program |
|
includes a certification under the law as it existed immediately |
|
before the effective date of this Act. |
|
(b) On the effective date of this Act, a program provider |
|
license or an instructor license issued before the effective date |
|
of this Act shall continue to be valid until the license expires. |
|
(c) An application for an initial program provider or |
|
instructor license or for renewal of a program provider or |
|
instructor license submitted to the Texas Department of Licensing |
|
and Regulation on or after the effective date of this Act is |
|
governed by Chapter 171, Government Code, as added by this Act. An |
|
application submitted before that date is governed by the laws and |
|
rules in effect when the application was submitted, and the former |
|
laws and rules are continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
(d) A person who holds an instructor license prior to the |
|
effective date of this Act is eligible to renew that license on or |
|
after the effective date of this Act, if: |
|
(1) the license is current or is within the late |
|
renewal period; and |
|
(2) the person's instructor eligibility requirements |
|
remain in effect at the time of renewal. |
|
(e) On or after the effective date of this Act, if a person's |
|
instructor license expires beyond the late renewal period or if the |
|
license is revoked, the person must apply for a new license and meet |
|
the instructor eligibility and other license requirements in effect |
|
at the time of the new application. |
|
SECTION 21. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective |
|
date of this Act, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, |
|
the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the executive |
|
director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, as |
|
appropriate, shall adopt rules and forms necessary to implement |
|
Chapter 171, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
|
(b) All rules, fees, policies, procedures, decisions, and |
|
forms that relate to a program or activity regulated under this Act |
|
and that are in effect on the effective date of this Act remain in |
|
effect until changed by the Texas Commission of Licensing and |
|
Regulation, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, or |
|
the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and |
|
Regulation, as appropriate. |
|
SECTION 22. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |