Texas House Bill HB888

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to regulation of contact tracing for communicable diseases; creating a criminal offense.

Impact

If enacted, HB888 will significantly affect how public health officials manage contact tracing efforts. The bill mandates that contact data be kept confidential and prohibits the disclosure of the identity of infected individuals. As part of public health responsibilities, health authorities may only conduct contact tracing under the provisions set forth in the bill. This is aimed at ensuring that individuals' privacy is respected while also allowing for the necessary public health actions to take place during an outbreak.

Summary

House Bill 888 aims to establish a regulatory framework for contact tracing in the event of communicable diseases. It emphasizes the protection of personal data collected during contact tracing and imposes strict guidelines on how such data can be used. The bill restricts the ability of health authorities and contact tracers to utilize location data from devices unless specific consent is granted by the individual. It establishes clear definitions for terms associated with contact tracing, outlining what constitutes a 'contact' and 'contact data'.

Contention

One notable point of contention around the bill is the balance between public health needs and individual privacy rights. Proponents argue that the legislation is crucial for protecting citizens' personal information in an era of heightened surveillance and data collection. However, some critics may express concerns regarding the enforcement mechanisms and whether the defined restrictions could hamper effective contact tracing efforts. Moreover, the establishment of a Class C misdemeanor for violations raises questions about the implications for contact tracers who may inadvertently breach these regulations.