SRC-JRN S.B. 1544 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1544
By: Ogden
State Affairs
4-6-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, an employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
is required to request within 14 days of employment that certain
information be held confidential or confidentiality will be waived.
However, law enforcement employees who have previously taken precautions
to maintain confidentiality of certain information are required to
revalidate this information when being employed by TDCJ.  This bill
validates prior actions taken by TDCJ employees to preserve the
confidentiality of certain information. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1544 validates prior actions taken by Texas Department
of Criminal Justice employees to preserve the confidentiality of certain
information. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 552.117, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 552.117. EXCEPTION:  CERTAIN ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS, SOCIAL
SECURITY NUMBERS, AND PERSONAL FAMILY INFORMATION.  Provides that
information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is
information that reveals whether certain peace and security officers
commissioned under Section 51.212, Education Code, and employees of the
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, regardless of whether these persons
comply with Section 552.024,  have family members. 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective unless certain acts
are declared invalid. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.