HB4643

HB4643 broadens statutory access to criminal-history information about health care providers and applicants participating in public-benefit programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), beyond the previous Medicaid-specific wording. It was signed and took effect June 20, 2025. This concerns providers, not a new background-check requirement for everyone receiving public benefits.

For HHSC and its inspector general, the law specifies whose records may be obtained: people with at least 5% direct or indirect ownership, including combined interests; certain holders of at least 5% of a secured obligation when that interest also reaches 5% of the provider’s property or asset value; corporate officers and directors; partners; and managing employees. The 5% threshold does not qualify the separately listed officers, directors, partners or managers.

A managing employee includes someone exercising operational or managerial control over all or part of the provider or applicant, or directly or indirectly conducting its daily operations. Ownership means equity in capital, stock or profits. The provider definition covers individuals or entities authorized to deliver health care services in Texas; the record-access provision still ties access to an HHSC-administered program.

Existing safeguards remain. Government Code Section 411.1143 authorizes specified FBI and Texas criminal-justice records, restricts disclosure, and requires destruction after use for the authorized purpose. FBI information obtained under this section may not be disclosed to any person; Texas-source information has specified exceptions for criminal or administrative proceedings, court orders or provider/applicant consent. HB4643 does not create a public database, a new crime, or an automatic disqualification for every person with a record.