Part of the terms of Senate Bill 1849 includes the creation of a single search engine connecting the "do not hire" databases of four state agencies, which includes:

• Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJID)
• Health and Human Services Commission (HHS)
• Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
• Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Beyond foster care facilities, other organizations that hire juvenile care workers would be able to use this search engine during the background check process. Part of the search engine's features includes the ability to determine whether an applicant was previously terminated for misconduct while employed at a childcare facility, school or similar organization.

The legislature also passed Senate Bill 182 which requires TJID and DFPS employees to report any crimes witnessed and to also inform the Texas Department of Public Security whenever other employees and contractors commit offenses.

Employers are encouraged to review the terms of both bills in depth and determine if and how internal workflows and protocols for hiring are impacted.

Posted: July 7, 2023

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