C.S.H.B. 220 78 ) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 220 By: Hupp Law Enforcement Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) must disclose whether an individual holds a concealed handgun license to any person submitting a written request and required fee. This system enables potential criminals to determine whether a potential victim is licensed to carry a handgun. C.S.H.B. 220 removes the requirement for the DPS to disclose to any person whether an individual holds a concealed handgun license. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 220 amends Section 411.192 of the Government Code by changing the class of persons to whom the Department of Public Safety must disclose requested information regarding whether a named individual holds a license to carry a concealed handgun. The bill deletes language requiring disclosure to "any other individual," allowing disclosure only to a criminal justice agency. An applicant or license holder may be furnished a copy of disclosable records regarding the applicant or license holder on request and the payment of a reasonable fee. EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 220 modifies the original by removing a private investigator licensed under Chapter 1702 of the Occupations Code as an acceptable recipient of information regarding a concealed handgun license. The substitute provides that information on a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun such as an individual's name, date of birth, gender, race, and zip code is subject to disclosure to a criminal justice agency.