H.B. No. 5097 amends sections of the Government Code to improve access to criminal history record information, particularly for licensing and background checks. The bill mandates that individuals requesting criminal history information provide additional identifying details, such as sex, while eliminating the requirement to submit a social security number. It also clarifies terminology related to licenses requiring background checks to ensure consistency with current practices and federal regulations. Furthermore, the bill broadens the range of entities permitted to access criminal history information, especially those involved in child protection and public benefits programs, and introduces new definitions for "provider" and "managing employee" in health care services to facilitate more thorough background checks.

In addition to the above changes, the bill updates the licensing and regulatory framework for various professions in Texas by replacing the "State Board of Examiners of Psychologists" with the "Behavioral Health Executive Council" and expanding the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's authority to obtain criminal history information for new licenses, including those for water supply system operators and sewage facility roles. It also enhances the Texas Medical Board's ability to conduct background checks by including applicants for employment at the Board. The Texas State Board of Pharmacy is granted the authority to obtain fingerprints from applicants and employees, and a new "associate license" category is established for individuals who meet academic and examination requirements but are still under supervision. These changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 411.095, Government Code 411.106, Government Code 411.1143, Government Code 411.122, Government Code 411.12506, Government Code 411.12508, Government Code 411.12509, Government Code 411.12517, Occupations Code 503.308, Occupations Code 1201.003 (Occupations Code 1201, Government Code 411, Occupations Code 503)
House Committee Report: Government Code 411.0845, Government Code 411.086, Government Code 411.087, Government Code 411.095, Government Code 411.106, Government Code 411.1143, Government Code 411.122, Government Code 411.12506, Government Code 411.12508, Government Code 411.12509, Government Code 411.12510, Government Code 411.12511, Government Code 411.12517, Government Code 411.136, Occupations Code 503.308 (Occupations Code 1201, Government Code 411, Occupations Code 503)