TX SB1437

Expands the Texas Juvenile Justice Department's authority to designate individuals as permanently ineligible for certification as juvenile officers or facility employees beyond just terminated department employees to include current/former employees, contractors, and volunteers of the department, juvenile probation departments, and registered juvenile facilities

Allows permanent certification ineligibility for individuals who engaged in conduct violating the Human Resources Code chapter or department rules, or demonstrated unsuitability for certification while working with these entities

Authorizes a three-member board panel to determine if an individual's certification eligibility threatens juveniles in the justice system, with authority to impose temporary ineligibility pending an administrative hearing

Requires administrative hearings before the State Office of Administrative Hearings before permanently designating someone as ineligible for certification

Takes effect September 1, 2025; passed the Senate 30-0 on April 10, 2025, and the House 144-0 on April 29, 2025