S.B. No. 1437 amends the Human Resources Code to establish new eligibility criteria for individuals seeking certification as juvenile officers or employees of juvenile facilities. The bill introduces Subsection (a-1), which specifies that it applies to individuals who do not hold certification and are or were employed by, contracted with, or volunteering for the department, a juvenile probation department, or a registered juvenile facility. It allows the department to designate such individuals as permanently ineligible for certification if they engage in conduct that violates the chapter or demonstrates unsuitability for certification, or if a panel determines their certification would threaten juveniles in the justice system.

Additionally, the bill outlines the process for determining an individual's eligibility, including the convening of a panel by the executive director to assess potential threats posed by the individual's certification. If the panel finds that the individual's continued eligibility threatens juveniles, the department can temporarily designate them as ineligible until an administrative hearing is held. The bill also ensures that individuals have the right to a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings if they are proposed to be permanently designated as ineligible for certification. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Human Resources Code 222.054 (Human Resources Code 222)
Senate Committee Report: Human Resources Code 222.054 (Human Resources Code 222)
Engrossed: Human Resources Code 222.054 (Human Resources Code 222)
House Committee Report: Human Resources Code 222.054 (Human Resources Code 222)
Enrolled: Human Resources Code 222.054 (Human Resources Code 222)