Texas House Bill HB4134

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the exception from required public disclosure of certain personal information of public employees and public officials.

Impact

The implications of HB 4134 are significant for state laws concerning transparency and individual privacy rights. By enabling public employees and officials to exempt their personal information from public scrutiny, the bill could shift the balance towards greater privacy protections at the potential cost of reduced transparency regarding governmental operations. The change would require governmental bodies to consider new procedures for handling requests for personal information once the law is enacted, thus potentially impacting how public information is managed in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 4134 addresses the public disclosure of certain personal information related to public employees and officials. The bill seeks to amend Section 552.024 of the Government Code, allowing employees and public officials to choose whether their home address, home telephone number, date of birth, shift assignment, or social security number are subject to public access. The intent is to provide a mechanism for these individuals to protect sensitive personal information from being publicly disclosed, thereby enhancing their privacy and security.

Contention

Discussions around the bill may invoke a variety of viewpoints concerning the balance between privacy and transparency in government. Proponents may argue that protecting the personal information of public workers is essential, especially in light of threats such as harassment or identity theft. Opponents, however, might contend that increased protections could encumber accountability measures and obstruct the public's right to know about those who serve in public capacities. This tension between privacy rights and transparency is likely to be a central theme in debates about this legislation.