BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1311

By: McClendon

Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Employees of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) are often on the front lines of emotional and potentially dangerous family and community situations, and, as a result, some of the individuals served by a TJJD employee may harbor resentment aimed at the employees.  H.B. 1311 is intended to protect the safety of current and former TJJD employees who may be at risk of retaliation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. 

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

H.B. 1311 reenacts and amends the Government Code to except from state public information law certain personal identifying information of a former juvenile probation or supervision officer certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) and of a former employee of a juvenile justice program or facility. The bill, in regard to a current and former juvenile probation or supervision officer and current and former employee of a juvenile justice program or facility, applies this exception regardless of whether the current or former officer or employee complies with other provisions of state public information law relating to an election to disclose certain public information and relating to an election to restrict access to certain personal identifying information. The bill further specifies that the exception applies to a current or former employee of TJJD regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with the statutory provision relating to an election to disclose certain public information.

H.B. 1311 excepts from state public information law relating to the confidentiality of certain personal identifying information of peace officers, county jailers, security officers, and employees of certain criminal justice or juvenile justice agencies or offices the personal identifying information of a former juvenile probation and detention officer certified by TJJD or the predecessors in function of TJJD and the personal identifying information of a former employee of a juvenile justice program or facility.

H.B. 1311 reenacts and amends the Tax Code to extend an exemption from state public information law requirements to information in property appraisal records of a current or former employee of TJJD or the predecessors in function of TJJD, a current or former juvenile probation or supervision officer certified by TJJD or the predecessors in function of TJJD, and a current or former employee of a juvenile justice program or facility.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.