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AN ACT
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relating to contracts for fingerprinting services entered into by |
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the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 411.0865 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 411.0865. CONTRACTS FOR FINGERPRINTING SERVICES. (a) |
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If the department enters into a contract with a vendor to provide |
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fingerprinting services throughout this state for use in accessing |
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criminal history record information, including a contract entered |
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into under Section 2157.068, the department shall: |
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(1) include in the contract a provision that: |
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(A) requires notice to the public of a permanent |
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closure of a location accessible to the public that provides |
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fingerprinting services at least 45 days before the date on which |
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the location closes; |
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(B) requires a mobile unit to provide |
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fingerprinting services in or as near as practicable to the area of |
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a location accessible to the public that permanently closes until a |
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replacement location is opened in that area at full capacity if the |
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closure would cause the vendor to not meet contractual coverage |
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requirements; and |
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(C) allows the department to contract with a |
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second vendor to provide fingerprinting services or to provide |
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fingerprinting services by other means if the department determines |
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that the original vendor has not fulfilled the contract in a |
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reasonable manner; and |
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(2) annually review and prepare a report on the |
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services provided by the vendor under the contract that includes a |
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determination on the vendor's ability to adequately address the |
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need for fingerprinting services throughout this state based on: |
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(A) the availability of fingerprinting |
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appointments throughout this state, including any wait times for |
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appointments at locations; and |
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(B) a study of the miles required to travel |
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throughout this state in order to receive fingerprinting services |
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and whether there are short-term or chronic gaps in coverage in |
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certain areas of this state. |
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(b) The department shall provide the report prepared under |
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Subsection (a)(2) to the governor and members of the legislature. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a contract for which the Department of Public Safety of the State |
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of Texas first advertises or otherwise solicits bids, proposals, |
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offers, or qualifications or makes a similar solicitation on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. A contract for which the |
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Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas first advertises |
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or otherwise solicits bids, proposals, offers, or qualifications or |
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makes a similar solicitation before the effective date of this Act |
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is governed by the law in effect on the date the advertisement or |
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solicitation is made, and that law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 922 passed the Senate on |
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April 21, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 922 passed the House on |
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May 18, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, two |
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present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |