Sec. 411.0865.  CONTRACTS FOR FINGERPRINTING SERVICES.  (a)  If the department enters into a contract with a vendor to provide fingerprinting services throughout this state for use in accessing criminal history record information, including a contract entered into under Section 2157.068, the department shall:
(1)  include in the contract a provision that:
(A)  requires notice to the public of a permanent closure of a location accessible to the public that provides fingerprinting services at least 45 days before the date on which the location closes;
(B)  requires a mobile unit to provide fingerprinting services in or as near as practicable to the area of a location accessible to the public that permanently closes until a replacement location is opened in that area at full capacity if the closure would cause the vendor to not meet contractual coverage requirements; and
(C)  allows the department to contract with a second vendor to provide fingerprinting services or to provide fingerprinting services by other means if the department determines that the original vendor has not fulfilled the contract in a reasonable manner; and
(2)  annually review and prepare a report on the services provided by the vendor under the contract that includes a determination on the vendor's ability to adequately address the need for fingerprinting services throughout this state based on:
(A)  the availability of fingerprinting appointments throughout this state, including any wait times for appointments at locations; and
(B)  a study of the miles required to travel throughout this state in order to receive fingerprinting services and whether there are short-term or chronic gaps in coverage in certain areas of this state.
(b)  The department shall provide the report prepared under Subsection (a)(2) to the governor and members of the legislature.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 184 (S.B. 922), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.