87R17617 MAW-D By: Allen, Guillen H.B. No. 4214 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4214: By: Murr C.S.H.B. No. 4214 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the eligibility for an occupational license by certain former inmates and the practice of certain occupations by an inmate of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 51.4041(a-1), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: (a-1) Notwithstanding any other law, the alternative means adopted under Subsection (a) may include accepting [as sufficient evidence of a person's eligibility for a license] relevant education, training, or experience obtained while the person was imprisoned if the person: (1) [previously held a license of the same type for which the person is applying and the license was revoked under Section 53.021(b); [(2)] has not been convicted of, placed on deferred adjudication for, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to: (A) an offense listed in Article 42A.054, Code of Criminal Procedure; (B) a sexually violent offense, as defined by Article 62.001, Code of Criminal Procedure; or (C) an offense under Chapter 21 or 43, Penal Code; and (2) [(3)] while imprisoned [, maintained a record of good behavior and]: (A) successfully participated in a program acceptable to the department to prepare the person for reentry into the workforce in the occupation for which the person seeks a license; or (B) performed work, under supervision acceptable to the department, [on a regular basis] in the occupation for which the person seeks a license. SECTION 2. Subchapter H, Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 51.4042 to read as follows: Sec. 51.4042. ELIGIBILITY OF INMATES FOR CERTAIN LICENSES. Notwithstanding any other law, the commission may adopt rules authorizing the issuance of a license under Chapter 1302, 1305, 1601, 1602, or 1603 to an applicant who is an inmate of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 1302, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1302.062 to read as follows: Sec. 1302.062. INMATES. This chapter does not apply to a person who performs air conditioning and refrigeration-related work as an inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice if the work is performed as part of a reentry program or under supervision acceptable to the department. SECTION 4. Section 1305.003, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1) This chapter does not apply to a person who performs electrical work as an inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice if the work is performed as part of a reentry program or under supervision acceptable to the department. SECTION 5. Section 1601.003, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 1601.003. APPLICATION OF CHAPTER. (a) This chapter does not apply to a person who: (1) does not represent or advertise to the public directly or indirectly that the person is authorized by the department to practice barbering; and (2) is: (A) a physician or registered nurse licensed in this state and operating within the scope of the person's license; (B) a commissioned or authorized medical or surgical officer of the United States armed forces; (C) a person regulated under Chapter 1602, if the person practices within the scope of a permit, license, or certificate issued by the department under that chapter; or (D) [an inmate in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice who performs barbering during the person's incarceration; or [(E)] a person who performs only natural hair braiding, including braiding a person's hair, trimming hair extensions only as applicable to the braiding process, and attaching commercial hair by braiding and without the use of chemicals or adhesives. (b) This chapter does not apply to a person who performs barbering as an inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice if the work is performed as part of a reentry program or under supervision acceptable to the department. SECTION 6. Section 1602.003, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) This chapter does not apply to a person who performs cosmetology as an inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice if the work is performed as part of a reentry program or under supervision acceptable to the department. SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.