Vetoed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that defines certain duties of the owner or operator of a residential child detention facility in Texas.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the owner or operator of a residential child detention facility to obtain criminal history records for a person who is an applicant, employee, former employee, contractor, intern, or volunteer for the facility (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that criminal history records obtained by the owner or operator of a residential child detention facility may only be used for employment purposes, and may not be released except on court order (Sec. 1).

• Requires the owner or operator of a residential child detention facility to destroy all criminal history record information after the expiration of any probationary term or the 180th day following receipt of the information (Sec. 1).

• Requires the owner or operator of a residential child detention facility to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the governing body of the municipality that regulates the facility, which requires the facility to (Sec. 2):

• Report illness to the appropriate local health authority;

• Provide the following: and

• A description of the facility’s methods for preventing illness;

• An emergency evacuation plan; and

• Quarterly compliance and safety inspection reports;

• Provide the municipal police department or county sheriff’s department with monthly facility occupancy records and a quarterly incident report.

• Requires the owner or operator of a residential child detention facility to obtain criminal history records of all facility personnel if at least 10% of the operating expenses are provided by the state (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text