By: Rodriguez of Travis H.B. No. 2471
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the exception of certain information related to the
humane disposition by a local government of an unclaimed stray
animal from required disclosure under the public information law.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 552, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 552.1177 to read as follows:
Sec. 552.1177. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
RELATED TO THE HUMAN DISPOSITION OF AN UNCLAIMED STRAY ANIMAL. (a)
Except as provided by Subsection (b), information is confidential
and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is
information that relates to the name, address, telephone number,
electronic mail address, drivers license number, social security
number, or other personally identifying information of a person who
obtains ownership or control of an unclaimed stray animal from a
local government making a humane disposition of the animal under
Section 826.033, Health and Safety Code.
(b) The information may be disclosed only to a governmental
entity or a person that, under a contract with a governmental
entity, provides animal control services, animal registration
services, or related services for the governmental entity for
purposes related to the protection of public health and safety. A
governmental entity or person that receives the information must
maintain the confidentiality of the information, may not disclose
the information under this chapter and may not use the information
for a purpose that does not directly relate to the protection of
public health and safety.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to
information related to the humane disposition by a local government
of an unclaimed stray animal created before, on, or after the
effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.