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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a waiver for certain programs from youth camp |
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licensing. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 141, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 141.0025 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 141.0025. WAIVER; APPEAL. (a) The department may |
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grant a waiver from the requirements of this chapter to a program |
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that: |
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(1) is sponsored by a religious organization as |
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defined by Section 464.051; |
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(2) has been in operation for at least 30 years; |
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(3) operates one camp for not more than seven days in |
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any year; |
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(4) ensures that background checks are conducted on |
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all adults participating in the program; and |
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(5) conducts all camp activities in accordance with |
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guidelines published by a national organization specializing in the |
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operation of youth camps. |
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(b) A waiver granted by the department under Subsection (a) |
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is valid until the waiver is revoked for cause by the department. |
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(c) A person who operates a program for which an application |
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for a waiver under this section has been denied or for which a |
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waiver under this section has been revoked may appeal the action in |
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the manner provided for appeal of contested cases under Chapter |
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2001, Government Code. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement |
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Section 141.0025, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |