86R13383 BRG-F
By: Shine H.B. No. 3534
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the disclosure to a law enforcement agency of
confidential information relating to a complaint filed with the
Texas Ethics Commission; creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 571.140(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (b-1) or by
Section 571.1401 or 571.171, proceedings at a preliminary review
hearing performed by the commission, a sworn complaint, and
documents and any additional evidence relating to the processing,
preliminary review, preliminary review hearing, or resolution of a
sworn complaint or motion are confidential and may not be disclosed
unless entered into the record of a formal hearing or a judicial
proceeding, except that a document or statement that was previously
public information remains public information.
SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 571, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 571.1401 to read as follows:
Sec. 571.1401. CERTAIN DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. (a) The
commission may disclose to a law enforcement agency information
that is confidential under Section 571.140(a) to the extent
necessary for the recipient of the information to perform a duty or
function that is separate from the commission's duties and
functions.
(b) Information disclosed to a law enforcement agency under
this section remains confidential, and the agency receiving the
information shall take appropriate measures to prevent disclosure
of the information.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person discloses
confidential information obtained under this section. An offense
under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.