Relating to the confidentiality of the home or residence address of a state or federal judge or the judge's spouse in certain government records and documents.
Impact
The enactment of HB 2435 would lead to significant changes in the handling of confidential information within appraisal records and driver’s licenses. It mandates that if a judge or their spouse opts to restrict access to their home address, this information should only be available for official use by appraisal districts and related governmental entities. This measure strengthens privacy protections and seeks to reduce risks associated with public exposure of sensitive personal information.
Summary
House Bill 2435 focuses on enhancing the confidentiality of home addresses of state and federal judges, as well as their spouses. The bill aims to amend existing laws to ensure that information, particularly residential addresses, is kept private and not readily accessible in public records. By doing so, it seeks to protect the safety and privacy of judges and their families, acknowledging that public exposure of this information can lead to various security threats.
Contention
While the bill received unanimous support during voting, proponents argue that enhanced confidentiality is a necessary step in safeguarding judges from potential harassment or threats due to their public roles. Critics, although not prominently voiced, might raise concerns regarding the transparency of judicial processes versus the need for personal safety. Nonetheless, no significant opposition appears to have emerged during legislative discussions, indicating a strong consensus on the importance of judicial protection.
Relating to the confidentiality of certain information for employees of a county courthouse or the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System and the employees' family members.
Relating to the confidentiality of certain information for a current or former administrative law judge for the State Office of Administrative Hearings.