79R6853 HLT-D

By:  Campbell                                                     H.B. No. 1806



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibiting a person from requiring an individual to 
provide a social security number to obtain goods or services or 
enter into a business transaction; providing a civil penalty.
	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 35.62 to read as follows:
	Sec. 35.62.  REQUIRING DISCLOSURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER 
PROHIBITED.  (a)  A person may not require an individual to disclose 
the individual's social security number to obtain goods or services 
or enter into a business transaction with the person unless federal 
or state law authorizes the person to require the disclosure of the 
individual's social security number.
	(b)  This section does not apply to a governmental entity and 
does not prevent the collection of a social security number as 
required by state or federal law.
	(c)  A person who violates this section is liable to the 
state for a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 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.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.