BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 816 89R7698 JCG-F By: Huffman Criminal Justice 4/16/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.B. 816 creates an exception for disclosure in immediate life-threatening situations, allowing providers of electronic communications and remote computing services to disclose electronic customer data to government entities if the provider in good faith believes that there is an immediate threat to life to assist in preventing any death or serious bodily injury. As proposed, S.B. 816 amends current law relating to authorizing the disclosure of certain electronic customer data by a provider of an electronic communications service or a remote computing service in certain immediate life-threatening situations. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Articles 18B.502(a) and (b), Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows: (a) Creates an exception under Article 18B.5025. (b) Creates an exception under Article 18B.5025. SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter K, Chapter 18B, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Article 18B.5025, as follows: Art. 18B.5025. DISCLOSURE IN IMMEDIATE LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. Authorizes a provider of an electronic communications service or a provider of a remote computing service to disclose electronic customer data to a governmental entity if the provider in good faith believes an immediate life-threatening situation exists that requires the immediate disclosure of the electronic customer data to assist in preventing any death or serious bodily injury that may result from the immediate life-threatening situation. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 816
89R7698 JCG-F By: Huffman
Criminal Justice
4/16/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 816
89R7698 JCG-F
By: Huffman
Criminal Justice
4/16/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 816 creates an exception for disclosure in immediate life-threatening situations, allowing providers of electronic communications and remote computing services to disclose electronic customer data to government entities if the provider in good faith believes that there is an immediate threat to life to assist in preventing any death or serious bodily injury.
As proposed, S.B. 816 amends current law relating to authorizing the disclosure of certain electronic customer data by a provider of an electronic communications service or a remote computing service in certain immediate life-threatening situations.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Articles 18B.502(a) and (b), Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows:
(a) Creates an exception under Article 18B.5025.
(b) Creates an exception under Article 18B.5025.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter K, Chapter 18B, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Article 18B.5025, as follows:
Art. 18B.5025. DISCLOSURE IN IMMEDIATE LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. Authorizes a provider of an electronic communications service or a provider of a remote computing service to disclose electronic customer data to a governmental entity if the provider in good faith believes an immediate life-threatening situation exists that requires the immediate disclosure of the electronic customer data to assist in preventing any death or serious bodily injury that may result from the immediate life-threatening situation.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.