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Bill

HB 3675

Relating to consideration of criminal history of applicants for public employment.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Pat Curry and 4 co-sponsors

HB 3675 restricts how Texas public employers evaluate applicants' criminal histories during hiring, aiming to balance public safety with employment opportunities for people with criminal records.

Referred to Business & Commerce
#criminalrecords(s0008) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208) #labor--general(i0500) #labor--managementrelations(i0465)
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Bill Summary · HB 3675

Legislative bill overview

HB 3675 regulates how Texas public employers can consider criminal history when evaluating job applicants. The bill appears to establish guidelines or restrictions on the weight and timing of criminal background checks in the hiring process for government positions. This addresses concerns about employment barriers for people with criminal records seeking public sector work.

Why is this important

Criminal history screening in hiring significantly affects employment opportunities for millions of Americans with prior convictions. For public sector jobs—which often offer stable wages and benefits—restrictive criminal background policies can perpetuate cycles of unemployment and recidivism. The policy balance between public safety concerns and employment access has substantial economic and social implications.

Potential points of contention

  • Public safety vs. rehabilitation: Disagreement over whether certain positions (law enforcement, education, vulnerable population access) require stricter criminal history consideration than others
  • Employer discretion: Tension between standardizing criminal history evaluation statewide versus allowing individual agencies to assess position-specific risks
  • Definition of disqualifying crimes: Questions about whether the bill creates clear standards for which offenses warrant exclusion versus those that allow for individualized assessment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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