House Bill No. 3675 introduces Chapter 621 to the Government Code, which outlines the regulations regarding the consideration of criminal history for applicants seeking public employment in Texas. The bill defines "public employer" to include various state government entities and political subdivisions, while explicitly stating that the chapter does not apply to independent school districts or positions within law enforcement agencies. Before making a conditional offer of employment, public employers are prohibited from obtaining criminal history information or asking applicants to disclose their criminal history. However, they may inform applicants about specific criminal convictions that would disqualify them from consideration for the position.

Additionally, the bill allows public employers to include a question on initial employment applications regarding criminal convictions that would lead to disqualification, provided the question is limited to relevant offenses. Once a conditional offer of employment is made, employers are permitted to obtain criminal history information. The changes enacted by this bill will apply only to employment applications submitted on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, with prior applications governed by existing law.

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