78R3118 RCJ-D

By:  Nelson                                                       S.B. No. 611



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to printing a social security number on an identification 
card or other identification device.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 35, Business & Commerce 
Code, is amended by adding Section 35.58 to read as follows:
	Sec. 35.58.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF SOCIAL SECURITY 
NUMBER.  (a)  A person may not display an individual's social 
security number on a card or other device required to access a 
product or service provided by the person.
	(b)  A person who violates this section is liable to the 
state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500 for each 
violation.  The attorney general or the prosecuting attorney in the 
county in which the violation occurs may bring suit to recover the 
civil penalty imposed under this section.  The attorney general may 
bring an action in the name of the state to restrain or enjoin a 
person from violating this section.
	(c)  This section does not apply to:                                    
		(1)  the collection, use, or release of a social 
security number that is required by state or federal law, including 
Chapter 552, Government Code; or
		(2)  the use of a social security number for internal 
verification or administrative purposes.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  This Act takes effect January 1, 2004.                        
	(b)  This Act applies to a card or other device that is issued 
in connection with an insurance policy only if the policy is 
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 
2005.  A card or other device issued in connection with a policy 
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2005, 
is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the 
effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for 
that purpose.