S.B. 1050 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 1050
By: Nelson
Human Services
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under Chapter 51 of the current Texas Human Resources Code, the Department
of Human Services is prohibited from disclosing information collected
through reports, case data, or inspections that would identify a
particular center or person working at or receiving services at a family
violence center or special project. The current law does not cover similar
information gained through other sources, which makes such information
subject to disclosure. As proposed, Senate Bill 1050 amends the exemption
from disclosure to include any information that identifies staff, board
members, clients, or center locations.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.007, Human Resources Code, by creating
Subdivisions (1) and (3) from existing text, adding Subdivision (2), and
amending, as follows:  
Sec. 51.007. CONFIDENTIALITY. Prohibits the Department of Human Services
from disclosing any information, rather than any information gained
through certain methods, that would identify:  
(1) a particular family violence center location, rather than a particular
location;  
(2) a board member of a family violence center or family violence special
project; or 
(3) a person working at or receiving services through a family violence
center or family violence special project, rather than at a family
violence center. Makes conforming changes. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

This act takes effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote or
September 1, 2003.