Texas House Bill HB114

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/10/08

Caption

Relating to the repeal of the requirement that certain real estate professionals provide fingerprints to satisfy criminal history check provisions.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly alter the licensing procedure for real estate professionals in Texas. It could potentially make the application process for new licenses or renewals more accessible for applicants who may have concerns about privacy or the implications of fingerprinting. However, it also raises questions about the state's ability to properly vet applicants for any criminal background that may pose a risk to the public. The bill has implications for overall public safety, as the removal of fingerprint checks means that certain historical criminal behavior may not be taken into account when granting licenses.

Summary

House Bill 114 seeks to repeal the existing requirement for certain real estate professionals to submit fingerprints in order to satisfy criminal history check provisions. Currently, under the Texas Occupations Code, applicants for real estate licenses must provide a complete set of fingerprints, which are used for conducting extensive background checks through both state and federal law enforcement agencies. The repeal proposed by HB 114 aims to streamline the licensing process by removing what supporters might view as unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for prospective real estate professionals.

Contention

The discussions around HB 114 are likely to evoke varying opinions among lawmakers and stakeholders in the real estate sector. Advocates for the bill argue that the removal of fingerprint requirements eases the entry into the profession and encourages more individuals to consider real estate careers, enhancing competition and service availability. Conversely, critics may view the repeal as a potential compromise to community safety, expressing concerns that less stringent background checks could allow individuals with prior offenses to enter the field without adequate scrutiny. The balance between fostering a more inclusive job market and ensuring robust safety measures will be a key point of contention surrounding this proposal.