78R7493 T

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.  Section 552.0085, Government Code, is added 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.