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.