78R7942 KLA-D

By:  Farrar                                                       H.B. No. 2857



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the confidentiality of certain records of and 
communications with a domestic relations office.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 203, Family Code, is amended by adding 
Section 203.008 to read as follows:
	Sec. 203.008.  CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS AND PRIVILEGED 
COMMUNICATIONS.  (a)  All files and records of a service provided 
under this chapter, including information concerning a custodial 
parent, a noncustodial parent, a child, or an alleged or presumed 
father, are confidential.
	(b)  All communications made by an applicant for or recipient 
of services under this chapter are privileged.
	(c)  A domestic relations office may release information to a 
public official to the same extent and in the same manner as the 
Title IV-D agency may release information to a public official.
	(d)  A domestic relations office may not release information 
on the physical location of a person if:
		(1)  a protective order has been entered under Title 4 
with respect to the person; or
		(2)  there is reason to believe that the release of 
information may result in physical or emotional harm to the person.
	(e)  A domestic relations office may release information to 
any person for a purpose not prohibited by federal law to the same 
extent and in the same manner as the Title IV-D agency may release 
information to a person for the same purpose.
	(f)  To the extent of any conflict between Section 203.007(h) 
and this section, Section 203.007(h) prevails.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and 
applies to files and records in the possession of and 
communications made to a domestic relations office before, on, or 
after that date.