By: Seliger, Gutierrez S.B. No. 2188
(In the Senate - Filed April 6, 2021; April 6, 2021, read
first time and referred to Committee on Local Government;
April 14, 2021, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9,
Nays 0; April 14, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the municipal or county regulation of residential
detention facilities for immigrant or refugee children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 250, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Section 250.011 to read as follows:
Sec. 250.011. RESIDENTIAL IMMIGRANT OR REFUGEE CHILD
DETENTION FACILITIES. (a) In this section, "residential child
detention facility" means a private facility that operates under a
contract with the United States Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, the United States Department of Health and Human
Services, or another federal agency to provide 24-hour custody or
care to unaccompanied immigrant or refugee children.
(b) A municipality or a county may adopt and enforce an
ordinance, order, or other regulation that requires a residential
child detention facility to:
(1) provide adequate water, wastewater, or other
utilities for the facility; and
(2) meet reasonable minimum standards that promote the
health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the facility.
(c) A county may not regulate under Subsection (b) a
facility that is located in the corporate boundaries of a
municipality.
(d) Before entering into a contract with a federal agency to
operate as a residential child detention facility, the owner or
operator of the proposed residential child detention facility must:
(1) provide notice of the proposed facility to:
(A) if the facility is located in a municipality,
the governing body of the municipality; or
(B) if the facility is located in the
unincorporated area of a county, the commissioners court of the
county; and
(2) meet any requirements adopted by the municipality
or county under Subsection (b).
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
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