79R2355 JRD-D

By:  Goodman                                                      H.B. No. 1952



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to providing that an individual's social security number 
is generally considered to be confidential under the public 
information law and may only be disclosed under certain 
circumstances.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 552, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 552.147 to read as follows:
	Sec. 552.147.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.  
(a)  Except as provided by this section, a social security number 
maintained by or for a governmental body is considered to be 
confidential and may not be disclosed by a governmental body.
	(b)  An individual's social security number may be 
disclosed:         
		(1)  with the written consent of the individual or the 
individual's guardian of the person; and
		(2)  without the consent of the individual or the 
individual's guardian of the person, within the governmental body 
or to a federal, state, or local governmental entity for a 
legitimate governmental purpose.
	(c)  If this section conflicts with another law, including 
another provision of this chapter, that specifically allows the 
disclosure of an individual's social security number by a 
governmental body in certain circumstances, the other law controls.  
Sections 552.022, 552.024, 552.1175, and 552.132 do not 
specifically allow the disclosure of an individual's social 
security number by a governmental body for purposes of this 
subsection.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.