The bill, S.B. No. 1053, aims to amend the Occupations Code in Texas regarding the impact of criminal convictions on a person's eligibility for occupational licenses. It introduces new sections, specifically Sections 53.004 and 53.005, which require licensing authorities to provide clear notices on application forms and their websites about how prior criminal convictions may affect an applicant's eligibility. Additionally, licensing authorities must maintain records of applications received, approved, and denied, particularly those denied due to criminal convictions, and submit annual reports to the legislature.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing sections to clarify the criteria for determining whether a conviction directly relates to the duties of a licensed occupation. It establishes that licensing authorities must find by a preponderance of evidence that a conviction is relevant before taking action against an applicant. The bill also introduces a new burden of proof requirement for licensing authorities during appeals, ensuring that they must demonstrate the grounds for their decisions. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and apply to actions taken on or after January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 53.021, Occupations Code 53.022, Occupations Code 53.023 (Occupations Code 53)