88R10509 ANG-F
By: Schwertner S.B. No. 1112
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to access to criminal history record information by the
Public Utility Commission of Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 411.14031 to read as follows:
Sec. 411.14031. ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD
INFORMATION: PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS. (a) The Public
Utility Commission of Texas is entitled to obtain from the
department criminal history record information maintained by the
department that relates to a person required to undergo a
background and criminal history check under Section 12.107,
Utilities Code.
(b) Criminal history record information obtained under
Subsection (a):
(1) is for the exclusive use of the Public Utility
Commission of Texas and is privileged and confidential; and
(2) may not be released or disclosed to any person or
agency except on court order or with the consent of the person who
is the subject of the information.
(c) The Public Utility Commission of Texas may destroy
criminal history record information obtained under Subsection (a)
after the information is used for the purpose authorized by this
section.
(d) This section does not prohibit the Public Utility
Commission of Texas from obtaining and using criminal history
record information as provided by other law.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 12, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 12.107 to read as follows:
Sec. 12.107. REQUIRED CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECKS FOR CERTAIN
EMPLOYEES. Before hiring an employee for a position whose duties
include access to confidential information related to the electric
grid, the commission shall:
(1) obtain from the Department of Public Safety or a
private vendor all criminal history record information relating to
the prospective employee; or
(2) ascertain that the prospective employee holds in
good standing an occupational license issued by a licensing
authority in this state that has, before issuing or renewing the
license, performed a criminal history background check.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.