Bill > SB589

This bill establishes new rules for how public employers in Texas can consider criminal history during the job application process. The law defines public employers as including most state government agencies, higher education institutions, and political subdivisions (with exceptions for independent school districts and certain law enforcement positions). Under the new regulations, public employers are prohibited from obtaining or asking about an applicant's criminal history before making a conditional employment offer, with two limited exceptions: employers can notify applicants about disqualifying criminal convictions in advance and can include a very specific question on the initial application about convictions that would legally disqualify an applicant from the position. After making a conditional job offer, employers are then permitted to review an applicant's full criminal history. The bill applies only to employment applications submitted on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, and aims to provide more fairness in the initial stages of the public employment application process by delaying criminal background checks until after a conditional offer has been made.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB589