By: Lambert H.B. No. 3510
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorizing the Texas Finance Commission to ensure that
employees of regulated entities may work from home under certain
circumstances.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 11, Finance Code, is amended by adding
Subdivision Section 11.301 to read as follows:
Section 11.301. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
under the laws of the state of Texas, the Finance Commission shall
ensure that any employee of a person or entity licensed by an agency
within the scope of this Chapter shall be authorized to work from
home or another location selected by the employee ("Remote
Location"), provided the licensee:
(a) Ensures all in-person customer interactions will be
conducted at the physical location;
(b) Maintains appropriate safeguards for licensee and
consumer data, information, and records, including the use of
secure virtual private networks ("VPNs") where appropriate;
(c) Employs appropriate risk-based monitoring and oversight
processes of work performed from a Remote Location, and maintains
records of the same;
(d) Ensures consumer information and records are not
maintained at a Remote Location;
(e) Ensures consumer and licensee information and records
remain accessible and available for regulatory oversight and exams;
(f) Provides appropriate employee training to keep all
conversations about, and with, consumers conducted from a Remote
Location confidential, as if conducted from a commercial location,
and to ensure remote employees work in an environment conducive and
appropriate to that privacy.
SECTION 2. The Finance Commission may adopt rules regarding
the provisions of this chapter.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.