80R482 TAD-D
 
  By: Ellis S.B. No. 225
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to privacy of wireless telecommunications customer
information; providing a civil penalty.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Chapter 64, Utilities Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter F to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F. PRIVACY OF WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS CUSTOMER
INFORMATION
       Sec. 64.251.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "wireless
telecommunications customer information" means any information,
including consumption and credit information, that is:
             (1)  possessed by a provider of commercial mobile
service, as defined by Section 332(d), Communications Act of 1934
(47 U.S.C. Section 151 et seq.), Federal Communications Commission
rules, and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Pub. L.
No. 103-66); and
             (2)  identifiable to a specific customer of the
provider.
       Sec. 64.252.  PROTECTION OF CUSTOMER INFORMATION.  (a)  A
person may not:
             (1)  sell or otherwise disclose, or attempt to sell or
otherwise disclose, wireless telecommunications customer
information without the customer's consent; or
             (2)  obtain or attempt to obtain wireless
telecommunications customer information by use of fraud or
misrepresentation.
       (b)  This section does not prohibit:
             (1)  disclosure of wireless telecommunications
customer information in the manner provided by Subchapter E or as
specifically provided by other law; or
             (2)  the lawful disclosure or obtaining of wireless
telecommunications customer information by a law enforcement
agency or an officer or other employee of a law enforcement agency
in the performance of the agency's or employee's official duties.
       Sec. 64.253.  PENALTY.  A person who violates this
subchapter is liable to the state for a civil penalty of $5,000 for
each customer whose information is included in the violation. The
attorney general may sue to collect the civil penalty.
       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.