Relating to the dissemination of criminal history record information by the Department of Public Safety concerning certain intoxication offenses.
Impact
If enacted, HB 1371 will significantly change the way information regarding intoxication offenses is disseminated to the public. It aims to improve transparency and potentially inform community safety initiatives by enabling citizens to easily obtain relevant criminal histories. The proposed website will include personal details such as the individual's full name, known aliases, last known address, and a physical description. The availability of this information may also aid law enforcement efforts during routine stops or investigations involving individuals with such convictions.
Summary
House Bill 1371 aims to enhance public access to criminal history record information specifically concerning certain intoxication offenses, such as driving while intoxicated (DWI). The bill amends the Government Code to provide that individuals can access records related to convictions and deferred adjudications occurring within the past ten years for these offenses. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be tasked with implementing and maintaining an online platform that will facilitate this access, allowing searches by various criteria including zip code and the name of the individual.
Contention
There may be concerns regarding privacy and the potential stigma associated with having a criminal history publicly accessible. Critics of the bill might argue that while public safety is important, exposing individuals to public scrutiny for past offenses could have lasting detrimental effects on their reintegration into society. Furthermore, stakeholders might debate the appropriate balance between the public's right to know and an individual's right to privacy, particularly concerning sensitive information. The bill outlines provisions to protect certain private details such as social security numbers and information identifying victims of offenses.
Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected
Government Code
Chapter 411. Department Of Public Safety Of The State Of Texas