H.B. No. 1800 introduces regulations for child swim instruction operators in Texas, establishing a licensing requirement under a new Chapter 767 of the Health and Safety Code, titled the "Mitchell Chang Swim Safety Act." The bill mandates that individuals or entities providing swim instruction to groups of three or more students must obtain an occupational license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. It outlines definitions relevant to the chapter, including terms such as "operator," "instructor," and "serious incident." The bill also specifies that the department will set fees for licensing and establish minimum safety and training requirements, including instructor qualifications and necessary safety equipment.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for criminal history checks for both applicants and controlling persons of the operator's entity, ensuring that individuals with certain criminal backgrounds are not permitted to work with children. Operators are required to report serious incidents involving students and maintain records of employee certifications and training. The legislation allows for administrative penalties for violations, with fines not exceeding $500 per day for each infraction. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation is tasked with adopting the necessary rules for implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 411.093, Subchapter F, Chapter , Government Code 455.1525 (Government Code 411, Subchapter F, Chapter , Government Code 455)