SRC-AXB H.B. 692 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 692 By: Janek (Nelson) State Affairs 5/4/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, a physician's social security number (SSN) is freely available to anyone who requests that information from the Texas State Board of Medial Examiners. Although current state law protects an individual's SSN by labeling it as "personal information," the attorney general has ruled in an opinion that an SSN is not considered confidential data. H.B. 692 provides for the confidentiality of the SSN of an applicant for, or holder of, legal authorization to practice an occupation or profession. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 692 protects the confidentiality of the social security number of an applicant for, or holder of, legal authorization to practice an occupation or profession. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. CONFIDENTIALITY OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. Provides for the confidentiality and exemption from disclosure under the open records law of the social security number of an applicant for, or holder of, legal authorization to practice a specific occupation. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.