Texas House Bill HB367

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the disclosure by a member of the legislature or the lieutenant governor of certain information concerning a resident of this state to a governmental body.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would strengthen the confidentiality standards surrounding interactions between constituents and governmental representatives. By embedding these protections in law, the bill ensures that residents can communicate with elected officials without the fear of their personal information being publicly disclosed by governmental bodies. This change aims to foster trust in the legislative process and encourage more individuals to seek help from their representatives, knowing their concerns will be handled discreetly.

Summary

House Bill 367 proposes amendments to the Government Code regarding the confidentiality of communications between the legislature, specifically members of the legislature and the lieutenant governor, and governmental bodies such as the Department of Family and Protective Services. The bill aims to ensure that any disclosures made by legislators about resident communications to these entities remain confidential, thereby protecting the identity and information of Texas residents. This legislative move seeks to formalize the privacy rights of individuals who approach legislators with sensitive issues, which could encompass a range of societal and familial matters.

Contention

Notably, while the bill received overwhelming support in the legislature, with a voting record indicating 146 yeas and only 1 nay, there could be points of contention surrounding the balance between confidentiality and government transparency. Critics may argue that increasing confidentiality could potentially shield malfeasance or hinder accountability by limiting the information available to the public regarding legislative communications. As with any legislation that modifies disclosure requirements, the ongoing debate will likely focus on finding an appropriate balance between necessary privacy protections for individuals and the public's right to know.