Sec. 141.0095. TRAINING AND EXAMINATION PROGRAM

(a) A person holding a license issued under this chapter may not employ or accept the volunteer service of an individual for a position involving contact with campers at a youth camp unless:

(1) the individual submits to the person or the youth camp has on file documentation that verifies the individual within the preceding two years successfully completed the training and examination program required by this section; or

(2) the individual successfully completes the youth camp's training and examination program, which must be approved by the department as required by this section, during the individual's first workweek and the youth camp issues and files documentation verifying that fact.

(b) A person holding a license issued under this chapter must retain in the person's records a copy of the documentation required or issued under Subsection (a) for each employee or volunteer until the second anniversary of the examination date.

(c) A person applying for or holding an employee or volunteer position involving contact with campers at a youth camp must successfully complete the training and examination program on sexual abuse and child molestation required by this section during the applicable period described by Subsection (a).

(d) In accordance with this section and the criteria and guidelines developed by the training advisory committee established under Section 141.0096, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission by rule shall establish criteria and guidelines for training and examination programs on sexual abuse and child molestation. The department may approve training and examination programs offered by trainers under contract with youth camps or by online training organizations or may approve programs offered in another format authorized by the department.

(e) A training and examination program on sexual abuse and child molestation approved by the department must include training and an examination on:

(1) the definitions and effects of sexual abuse and child molestation;

(2) the typical patterns of behavior and methods of operation of child molesters and sex offenders that put children at risk;

(3) the warning signs and symptoms associated with sexual abuse or child molestation, recognition of the signs and symptoms, and the recommended methods of reporting suspected abuse; and

(4) the recommended rules and procedures for youth camps to implement to address, reduce, prevent, and report suspected sexual abuse or child molestation.

(f) The department may assess a fee in the amount necessary to cover the costs of administering this section to each person that applies for the department's approval of a training and examination program on sexual abuse and child molestation under this section.

(g) The department at least every five years shall review each training and examination program on sexual abuse and child molestation approved by the department to ensure the program continues to meet the criteria and guidelines established by rule under this section.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 860 , Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.