By Wise                                                H.B. No. 461
         76R2306 MLS-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the identification of certain persons in civil cases.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Chapter 30, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
 1-5     amended by adding Section 30.016 to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 30.016.  DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
 1-7     INFORMATION.  (a)  In a civil case in which the identity of the
 1-8     plaintiff is concealed by any means, including the use of initials,
 1-9     the identity of the defendant shall be concealed by similar means.
1-10           (b)  The court may enforce this section by contempt
1-11     proceedings or by other appropriate means.
1-12           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999, and
1-13     applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after that
1-14     date.  A cause of action that accrues before the effective date of
1-15     this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the action
1-16     accrued, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
1-17           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-18     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-19     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-20     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-21     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.