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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of certain individuals for |
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certification as certain juvenile officers or employees of a |
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juvenile facility. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 222.054, Human Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsections (b), |
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(c), and (d) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) This section applies to an individual, regardless of |
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whether the individual holds a certification under this chapter, |
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who is or was employed by, under contract with, or volunteering for: |
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(1) the department; |
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(2) a juvenile probation department; or |
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(3) a juvenile facility registered with the |
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department. |
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(b) Subject to Subsection (d), the [The] department may |
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designate as permanently ineligible for certification under this |
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chapter an individual to whom this section applies if: |
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(1) while employed by, under contract with, or |
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volunteering for an entity described by Subsection (a-1), the |
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individual engaged [who has been terminated from employment with |
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the department for engaging] in conduct that: |
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(A) violates this chapter or a department rule; |
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or |
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(B) demonstrates the individual is not suitable |
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for certification under this chapter; or |
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(2) a panel under Subsection (c) determines the |
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individual's certification would threaten juveniles in the |
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juvenile justice system. |
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(c) The executive director may convene, in person or |
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telephonically, a panel of three board members to determine if the |
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[a former department employee's] continued eligibility of an |
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individual to whom this section applies to obtain a certification |
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under this chapter threatens juveniles in the juvenile justice |
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system. If the panel determines an individual's eligibility for |
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certification threatens juveniles in the juvenile justice system, |
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the department shall temporarily designate the individual as |
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ineligible for certification until an administrative hearing is |
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held under Subsection (d). The hearing must be held as soon as |
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possible following the temporary designation. The executive |
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director may convene a panel under this subsection only if the |
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danger posed by the person's continued eligibility for |
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certification is imminent. The panel may hold a telephonic meeting |
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only if immediate action is required and convening the panel at one |
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location is inconvenient for any member of the panel. |
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(d) A person is entitled to a hearing before the State |
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Office of Administrative Hearings if the department proposes to |
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designate a person as permanently ineligible for certification as |
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provided by Subsection (b). |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |