Relating to requiring notice and the dissemination of criminal history record information to the subject of the information in certain circumstances.
Impact
The introduction of HB 477 directly impacts existing statutes related to the dissemination and access of criminal history records by instituting a requirement for notification to individuals whose information is being accessed. This change could alter how law enforcement agencies, employers, and other entities handle requests for criminal history checks, as they will now need to ensure compliance with the notification requirement before accessing such records. This could lead to increased transparency in the handling of sensitive personal information in Texas.
Summary
House Bill 477 intends to enhance the privacy rights of individuals concerning their criminal history records by mandating that notice must be provided to the subject of the information whenever their criminal history record is accessed by another party. Specifically, the bill requires that if an individual or entity requests access to a person's criminal history record information, the department responsible for this information must send a written notice to the subject at the same time that the information is provided to the requester. This approach aims to inform individuals of who is seeking access to their information and what information has been disclosed.
Contention
Although the bill aims to enhance individual rights, there may be discussions surrounding the practicality and implications of implementing such notification requirements. Opponents may argue that mandating notification could lead to potential risks, such as tampering or retaliation, especially in sensitive cases. Furthermore, the requirements might place additional burdens on state resources and the administrative processes related to criminal background checks.
Final_note
Overall, HB 477 represents a significant step toward protecting individual privacy in relation to criminal records. If enacted, it will fortify the rights of individuals by ensuring they are informed about who is accessing their criminal history and what information is being shared. Balancing privacy rights with the needs of law enforcement and other entities will be crucial in the subsequent discussions and deliberations around this bill.
Relating to criminal history record information and certain registry information accessible to certain educational and child-care entities and information required for employment in certain child-care facilities.