Senate Bill No. 1053 aims to amend the Occupations Code in Texas regarding the impact of criminal convictions on a person's eligibility for occupational licenses. The bill 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 ability to obtain a license. Additionally, it mandates that licensing authorities maintain records of applications received, approved, and denied, particularly those denied due to criminal convictions, and submit annual reports to the legislature.

The bill also modifies existing provisions in Sections 53.021, 53.022, and 53.023, establishing criteria for determining whether a conviction directly relates to the duties of a licensed occupation. It emphasizes that licensing authorities must find by a preponderance of the evidence that the factors considered support their decisions regarding license denial or revocation. Furthermore, it clarifies that the burden of proof lies with the licensing authority in administrative appeals or judicial reviews of 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)