Relating to the imposition of background and criminal history check requirements for certain employees of and applicants for employment with the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Impact
The establishment of mandatory background checks aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance the safety and integrity of services provided by DFPS. By requiring fingerprint submission for applicants and certain current employees, the bill promises to bolster the screening process and facilitate a review of past criminal behavior significantly. It also includes guidelines for obtaining criminal history information from both state and federal databases, thereby broadening the scope of vetting.
Summary
House Bill 706 is focused on establishing stringent background and criminal history check requirements for employees and applicants of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in Texas. The bill aims to ensure that individuals involved in the direct delivery of protective services to vulnerable populations—including children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—are thoroughly vetted for any criminal offenses. Under the new provisions, the court will be mandated to notify DFPS about any employee’s conviction or grant of deferred adjudication within five days of such a ruling.
Contention
While the bill intends to improve safety standards within DFPS, discussions surrounding HB 706 may highlight concerns about privacy and the potential for discrimination against individuals with past convictions seeking employment. Critics might argue that comprehensive background checks could disproportionately affect certain groups, limiting employment opportunities for individuals with minor or unrelated offenses. Furthermore, the implementation of such checks might increase administrative burdens on the department, necessitating additional resources and comprehensive rule adoption to facilitate these processes effectively.
Relating to the reporting of certain orders and convictions to the Department of Public Safety and Federal Bureau of Investigation for use with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for the transfer of firearms.
Relating to an interagency reportable conduct search engine, standards for a person's removal from the employee misconduct registry and eligibility for certification as certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department officers and employees, and the use of certain information by certain state agencies to conduct background checks.