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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the revocation of an occupational license from certain |
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license holders and the issuance of a provisional occupational |
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license to certain applicants with criminal convictions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 53.021(b), Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(b) A license holder's license shall be revoked on the |
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license holder's imprisonment following a: |
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(1) felony conviction for: |
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(A) an offense that directly relates to the |
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duties and responsibilities of the licensed occupation; |
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(B) an offense listed in Article 42A.054, Code of |
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Criminal Procedure; or |
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(C) a sexually violent offense, as defined by |
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Article 62.001, Code of Criminal Procedure; |
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(2) [,] felony community supervision revocation; |
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(3) [,] revocation of parole; [,] or |
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(4) revocation of mandatory supervision. |
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SECTION 2. Section 53.0211, Occupations Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsections (b-1) and |
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(h) to read as follows: |
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(b) Notwithstanding any law other than Subsection (a) and |
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unless the applicant has been convicted of an offense described by |
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Section 53.021(a), a licensing authority shall issue to an |
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otherwise qualified applicant who has been convicted of an offense: |
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(1) the license for which the applicant applied; or |
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(2) a provisional license under Subsection (b-1) valid |
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for a term of 12 months [described by Subsection (c)]. |
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(b-1) A licensing authority may issue a provisional license |
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to an applicant who: |
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(1) is: |
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(A) an inmate imprisoned in the Texas Department |
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of Criminal Justice; or |
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(B) a person released on parole or mandatory |
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supervision and residing at a place described by Section 508.118 or |
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508.119, Government Code; and |
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(2) is enrolled in or has completed an educational |
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program offered by: |
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(A) the Windham School District; or |
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(B) an institution of higher education, as |
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defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. |
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(c) The term of a provisional license issued to an applicant |
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who is an inmate imprisoned in the Texas Department of Criminal |
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Justice begins on the date the applicant is released [A licensing |
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authority may issue a provisional license for a term of six months |
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to an applicant who has been convicted of an offense]. |
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(h) On request of a licensing authority, the Texas |
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Department of Criminal Justice shall provide to the licensing |
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authority information regarding an applicant who is an inmate |
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imprisoned in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for purposes |
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of determining the inmate's eligibility for a license. |
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SECTION 3. Section 508.313(c), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(c) The department, on request or in the normal course of |
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official business, shall provide information that is confidential |
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and privileged under Subsection (a) to: |
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(1) the governor; |
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(2) a member of the board or a parole commissioner; |
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(3) the Criminal Justice Policy Council in performing |
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duties of the council under Section 413.017; [or] |
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(4) a licensing authority requesting information |
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concerning an inmate or releasee who has submitted an application |
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for an occupational license to the licensing authority; or |
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(5) an eligible entity requesting information for a |
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law enforcement, prosecutorial, correctional, clemency, or |
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treatment purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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