H.B. No. 3153 introduces new employment requirements aimed at preventing physical or sexual abuse of children in certain facilities, including residential treatment facilities, juvenile detention centers, and shelters for the homeless. The bill establishes Chapter 811 in the Health and Safety Code, which mandates that governmental entities, such as the Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, ensure that facilities they regulate conduct thorough reviews of state criminal history records and employment verifications for individuals who may have direct contact with children. This includes applicants for employment, volunteers, and independent contractors. The bill also requires facilities to obtain electronic updates on arrests and convictions for these individuals and outlines specific training requirements related to recognizing and reporting abuse.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that any person found to have engaged in physical or sexual abuse of a child, as defined by certain sections of the Penal Code, cannot be offered employment or must be terminated if already employed. It prohibits separation agreements from including clauses that prevent disclosure of such conduct to prospective employers. The provisions of this bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and apply to agreements entered into after that date.

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