87R3149 CJC-D
By: Ramos H.B. No. 1251
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to protection for public employees who report violations
of law by governmental entities or other public employees; creating
a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 554, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 554.0025 to read as follows:
Sec. 554.0025. DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITY OF REPORTING PUBLIC
EMPLOYEE PROHIBITED; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if
the person discloses the identity of a public employee who in good
faith reports a violation of law by the employing state or local
governmental entity or another public employee to an appropriate
law enforcement authority if the disclosure is made to a person who
is not assisting in the investigation or prosecution of the
violation of law reported by the public employee.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this
section that the public employee who reported the violation of law
consented to the disclosure of the employee's identity.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.