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 children under seven years old must obtain an occupational license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. It outlines definitions, applicability, and exemptions, as well as the powers and duties of the commission and department responsible for enforcing these regulations. The bill also specifies the need for criminal history checks for applicants and controlling persons, as well as minimum safety and training requirements for instructors.

Additionally, the bill allows the commission to set fees for licensing and establishes penalties for violations, including administrative penalties of up to $500 per day for each infraction. It requires operators to report serious incidents involving students and mandates public access to inspection reports. The bill also amends existing laws to include licensing under Chapter 767 and introduces provisions for accessing criminal history records specifically for swim instruction operators. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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