BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                              S.B. 450

                                                                                                                                   By: Wentworth

                                                                                                                                       State Affairs

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Due to their roles in the criminal justice system, certain law enforcement personnel and their families are at risk of retaliation and harassment from criminal defendants.  Currently, certain law enforcement personnel and Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees may choose to make confidential their personal information such as home address, home telephone number, social security number and family information. Employees in prosecutors' offices face a similar risk of retaliation and harrassment. As proposed, S.B. 450 would make confidential the personal information of employees of a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney whose jurisdiction includes criminal law matters.  

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

Amends Section 552.1175 of the Government Code to provide that the section is applicable to employees of a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services matters.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.