83R7889 AED-D
By: Hegar S.B. No. 988
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the exception of certain communications by law
enforcement agencies and officers from 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 552.1081 to read as follows:
Sec. 552.1081. EXCEPTION: CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT
COMMUNICATIONS. (a) In this section, "peace officer" means a
person designated as a peace officer by Article 2.12, Code of
Criminal Procedure.
(b) Records of telephone calls, text messages, e-mails, or
other electronic communications to which a peace officer is a party
are excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021. The
communications are subject to disclosure under an appropriate court
order, subpoena, or order compelling disclosure in discovery.
(c) A law enforcement agency or officer may redact
information that may be withheld under Subsection (a) from any
information the agency or officer discloses under Section 552.021
without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney
general under Subchapter G.
SECTION 2. 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.