Text of section effective on April 01, 2025
Sec. 526.0058.  RULES REGARDING REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT.  (a)  In this section, "local resettlement agency" and "national voluntary agency" have the meanings assigned by 45 C.F.R. Section 400.2.
(b)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to ensure that:
(1)  any refugee placement report required under a federal refugee resettlement program includes local governmental and community input; and
(2)  governmental entities and officials are provided with related information.
(c)  In adopting the rules, the executive commissioner shall, to the extent permitted by federal law, ensure that meetings are convened at least quarterly in the communities proposed for refugee placement at which representatives of local resettlement agencies have an opportunity to consult with and obtain feedback regarding proposed refugee placement from:
(1)  local governmental entities and officials, including:
(A)  municipal and county officials;
(B)  local school district officials; and
(C)  representatives of local law enforcement agencies; and
(2)  other community stakeholders, including:
(A)  major providers under the local health care system; and
(B)  major employers of refugees.
(d)  In adopting the rules, the executive commissioner shall, to the extent permitted by federal law, ensure that:
(1)  a local resettlement agency:
(A)  considers all feedback obtained in meetings conducted under Subsection (c) before preparing a proposed annual report on the placement of refugees for purposes of 8 U.S.C. Section 1522(b)(7)(E);
(B)  informs the state and local governmental entities and officials and community stakeholders described by Subsection (c) of the proposed annual report; and
(C)  develops a final annual report for the national voluntary agencies and the commission that includes a summary regarding the manner in which stakeholder input contributed to the report; and
(2)  the commission:
(A)  obtains from local resettlement agencies the preliminary number of refugees the local resettlement agencies recommended to the national voluntary agencies for placement in communities throughout this state and provides that information to local governmental entities and officials in those communities; and
(B)  obtains from the United States Department of State or other appropriate federal agency the number of refugees apportioned to this state and provides that information and information regarding the number of refugees intended to be placed in each community in this state to local governmental entities and officials in those communities.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.