HB 5223

relating to emergency response protocols and safety and security
audits developed by the Texas School Safety Center and Health and
Human Services Commission for day-care centers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 37.2135 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.2135.  DAY-CARE CENTERS.  (a)  In this section,
"day-care center" has the meaning assigned by Section 42.002, Human
(b)  The center, in collaboration with the Health and Human
(1)  research best practices regarding emergency
preparedness of day-care centers and serve as a clearinghouse for
(2)  develop safety and security audit procedures for
(A)  the frequency of the safety and security
audit to be conducted by a day-care center under Section 42.04432,
(B)  the manner in which a day-care center must
report the results of the safety and security audit conducted under
Section 42.04432, Human Resources Code, to the center;
(3)  develop and publish guidelines for standard
emergency response protocol requirements; and
(4)  provide day-care centers with safety and standard
emergency response protocol training and technical assistance.
SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 42.04432 to read as follows:
Sec. 42.04432.  EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROTOCOL FOR AND SAFETY
AND SECURITY AUDIT OF CERTAIN FACILITIES.  (a)  In this section,
"center" means the Texas School Safety Center.
(b)  Each day-care center shall:
(1)  follow the standard emergency response protocol
guidelines developed by the center in collaboration with the
commission under Section 37.2135, Education Code;
(2)  conduct safety and security audits following the
safety and security audit procedures developed by the center in
collaboration with the commission under Section 37.2135, Education
(3)  report the results of the safety and security
audit conducted under Subdivision (2) to the center in the manner
required by Section 37.2135, Education Code.
SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Texas School Safety Center and the Health and Human
Services Commission shall develop the procedures and guidelines
required by Section 37.2135, Education Code, and Section 42.04432,
Human Resources Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.