By: Heflin H.B. No. 2174
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to illegal uses of confidential information by persons
having legal access to confidential information; creating an
offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 552, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 552.0085 to read as follows:
Sec. 552.0085. USE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; OFFENSE.
(a) A person who legally has access to confidential information
under Section 552.008 or another law that permits such person's
access to such confidential information commits an offense if the
person knowingly:
(1) permits inspection of the confidential
information by a person not authorized to inspect the confidential
information;
(2) discloses confidential information to a person not
authorized to receive the information; or
(3) uses the confidential information for a purpose
other than the purpose for which it was received or for a purpose
unrelated to the person's legal access to the confidential
information, such as solicitation of political contributions or
solicitation of clients.
(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class A
misdemeanor.
(c) A violation under this section constitutes official
misconduct.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.