88R900 BEF-F
By: Longoria H.B. No. 4282
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the confidentiality of certain information maintained
by state licensing agencies.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 552.1176, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
follows:
(a) Information that relates to the home or business
address, place of work, [home] telephone number, electronic mail
address, social security number, [or] date of birth, driver's
license number or state identification number, passport number,
emergency contact information, license application, criminal
history record information obtained in connection with the issuance
or renewal of a license, or payment information of a person licensed
to practice law in this state that is maintained under Chapter 81 is
confidential and may not be disclosed to the public under this
chapter if the person to whom the information relates:
(1) chooses to restrict public access to the
information; and
(2) notifies the State Bar of Texas of the person's
choice, in writing or electronically, on a form provided by the
state bar.
(d) Subsection (a) does not make confidential or except from
required public disclosure the name, state bar identification
number, membership class, or eligibility to practice law of an
applicant for a license, a license holder, or a person who
previously held a license.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 552, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 552.11765 to read as follows:
Sec. 552.11765. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
MAINTAINED BY STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY. (a) In this section,
"license" means a license, certificate, registration, permit, or
other authorization that:
(1) is issued by a governmental body described by
Section 552.003(1)(A)(i); and
(2) a person must obtain to practice or engage in a
particular business, occupation, or profession.
(b) Information maintained by a governmental body described
by Section 552.003(1)(A)(i) is confidential and excepted from the
requirements of Section 552.021 if:
(1) the information relates to the home or business
address, place of work, telephone number, electronic mail address,
social security number, date of birth, driver's license or state
identification number, passport number, emergency contact
information, license application, criminal history record
information obtained in connection with the issuance or renewal of
a license, or payment information of:
(A) an applicant for a license issued by the
governmental body;
(B) a person who holds a license issued by the
governmental body; or
(C) a person who previously held a license issued
by the governmental body; and
(2) the person to whom the information relates:
(A) chooses to restrict public access to the
information; and
(B) notifies the governmental body of the
person's choice, in writing or electronically, on a form provided
by the governmental body.
(c) A choice made under Subsection (b)(2) remains valid
until rescinded in writing or electronically by the person.
(d) Subsection (b) does not make confidential or except from
required public disclosure the name, license number, or license
status of an applicant for a license, a license holder, or a person
who previously held a license.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a request for public information received by a governmental body,
including the State Bar of Texas, or an officer for public
information on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.