Sec. 2001.313. REGISTRY OF APPROVED BINGO WORKERS. (a) To minimize duplicate criminal history background checks by the commission and the costs incurred by organizations and individuals, the commission shall maintain a registry of individuals on whom the commission has conducted a criminal history background check and who are approved to be involved in the conduct of bingo or to act as a bingo operator.

(b) An individual listed in the registry may be involved in the conduct of bingo or act as an operator at any location at which bingo is lawfully conducted.

(b-1) An individual's listing on the registry expires on the third anniversary of the date the individual was initially included on the registry. The individual may renew the listing before the expiration date. If the individual fails to renew the listing, the commission shall remove the individual's name from the registry. An individual whose name is removed from the registry may reapply for listing on the registry.

(b-2) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 860 (H.B. 2578), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2017.

(b-3) Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1051 (H.B. 914), Sec. 10(3), eff. January 1, 2020.

(c) The commission shall make the registry information available to the public by publishing it on the commission's website and by responding to telephone, e-mail, and facsimile requests. This subsection does not require the commission to disclose information that is confidential by law.

(d) An individual who is not listed on the registry established by this section may not act, and a licensed authorized organization may not allow the individual to act, as an operator, manager, cashier, usher, caller, bingo chairperson, bookkeeper, or salesperson for the licensed authorized organization.

(e) The commission may refuse to add an individual's name to, or remove an individual's name from, the registry established by this section if, after notice and, if requested by the individual, a hearing, the individual is finally determined to have:

(1) been convicted of an offense listed under Section 2001.105(b);

(2) converted bingo equipment in a premises to an improper use;

(3) converted funds that are in, or that should have been in, the bingo account of any licensed authorized organization;

(4) taken any action, individually or in concert with another person, that affects the integrity of any bingo game to which this chapter applies;

(5) acted as an operator, manager, cashier, usher, caller, bingo chairperson, bookkeeper, or salesperson for a licensed authorized organization without being listed on the registry established under this section;

(6) failed to provide a complete application; or

(7) participated in any violation of this chapter or rules adopted by the commission for the administration of this chapter.

(f) A licensed authorized organization shall report to the commission or its designee the discovery of any conduct on the part of an individual registered or required to be registered under this section where there is substantial basis for believing that the conduct would constitute grounds for removal of the individual's name from, or refusal to add the individual's name to, the registry established by this section. A statement made in good faith to the commission or to an adjudicative body in connection with any such report may not be the basis for an action for defamation of character.

(g) An individual who has been finally determined to have taken action prohibited by Subsection (e)(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7) cannot be listed on the registry of approved bingo workers and cannot work as a bingo worker for one year from the date of such determination. Upon expiration of the one-year period, the individual is eligible for listing on the registry provided a licensee subject to this chapter makes application to list the individual. In such event, the commission shall take into consideration the facts and circumstances that occurred that led to the applicable action under Subsections (e)(2)-(7) in deciding whether to list the individual on the registry.

(h) A licensed authorized organization may employ an individual who is not on the registry established by this section as an operator, manager, cashier, usher, caller, or salesperson on a provisional basis if the individual is awaiting the results of a background check by the commission:

(1) for a period not to exceed 30 days if the individual is a resident of this state; or

(2) for a period to be established by commission rule if the individual is not a resident of this state.

(i) An individual who has been removed from the registry under Subsection (e) and has not subsequently been listed on the registry under Subsection (g) may not be employed under Subsection (h).

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1114, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 636 (H.B. 1474), Sec. 20, eff. October 1, 2009.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 993 (H.B. 2197), Sec. 32, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 101 (S.B. 549), Sec. 7, eff. January 1, 2018.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 860 (H.B. 2578), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1051 (H.B. 914), Sec. 2, eff. January 1, 2020.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1051 (H.B. 914), Sec. 10(3), eff. January 1, 2020.