Texas House Bill HB1046

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 2/1/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/3/11
• Voted on by House: 5/15/11
• Refer: 2/28/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/20/11
• Report Pass: 4/26/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/25/11
• Engrossed: 5/15/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 5/16/11
• Report Pass: 5/20/11
• Enrolled: 5/27/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information concerning current and former employees of certain divisions of the office of attorney general.

Impact

If passed, HB 1046 will directly affect Texas Government Code, specifically addressing the public access to personal information of officials in sensitive positions. The proposed changes stand to reinforce the protective measures already existing in law, ensuring that specific groups, particularly those associated with law enforcement, have greater privacy safeguards. This could impact the transparency of public records as it relates to those in high-risk roles.

Summary

House Bill 1046 aims to enhance the confidentiality protections for certain personal information of current and former employees of specific divisions within the office of the attorney general in Texas. The bill proposes amendments to the Government Code, aiming to exempt the disclosure of sensitive details such as home addresses, telephone numbers, and Social Security numbers of these individuals. This legislative move is seen as a necessary step to protect the privacy of law enforcement and governmental employees who are often targets due to their roles.

Contention

There may be discussions surrounding the implications of additional confidentiality measures and how they might intersect with public interest and transparency. Critics could argue that while protecting law enforcement personnel is crucial, increasing confidentiality could also obscure necessary public oversight and accountability. Balancing the rights of individuals to privacy against the public's right to know is likely to be a focal point of contention during debates on this bill.