The bill, S.B. No. 2396, introduces new regulations for the owners or operators of residential child detention facilities in Texas. It adds Section 411.14103 to the Government Code, which allows these facilities to access criminal history record information for individuals applying for employment or currently employed, as well as for consultants, contractors, interns, or volunteers. The bill stipulates that this information can only be used for evaluating applicants and must be destroyed after a specified period. Additionally, it prohibits the release of this information without a court order or consent from the individual involved.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 250.013 of the Local Government Code, defining the responsibilities of the facility owners or operators. They are required to enter into a memorandum of understanding with local governing bodies, which includes reporting illnesses, providing safety and education plans, and conducting regular inspections. It also mandates criminal history background checks for facility personnel if a significant portion of their funding comes from the state, with penalties for non-compliance. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and requires facilities to establish the necessary agreements by December 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 250.013 (Local Government Code 250)