H.B. No. 492 AN ACT relating to a waiver for certain programs from youth camp licensing. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 141, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 141.0025 to read as follows: Sec. 141.0025. WAIVER; APPEAL. (a) The department may grant a waiver from the requirements of this chapter to a program that: (1) is sponsored by a religious organization as defined by Section 464.051; (2) has been in operation for at least 30 consecutive years; (3) operates one camp for not more than seven days in any year; (4) has not more than 80 campers; (5) is conducted by adult participants who are all volunteers; (6) operates in a county with a population of at least 4,400 but not more than 4,750; and (7) ensures that background checks are conducted on and the training required under Section 141.0095 is completed by each adult participating in the program. (b) A waiver granted by the department under Subsection (a) is valid until the waiver is revoked for cause by the department. (c) A person who operates a program for which an application for a waiver under this section has been denied or for which a waiver under this section has been revoked may appeal the action in the manner provided for appeal of contested cases under Chapter 2001, Government Code. SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section 141.0025, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 492 was passed by the House on May 4, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 1, 2 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 492 was passed by the Senate on May 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor