AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, personal information related to service members who are on state active duty or who are deployed is not protected from public disclosure. It has been reported that military personnel and their families are being targeted for attack and that this information loophole could assist individuals engaged in such acts. H.B. 2152 seeks to provide security for service members and their families while they are serving on state active duty by stating that information regarding their orders and deployment remain confidential.
Additionally, the bill excepts from disclosure the home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, or social security number of the military member and whether that person has family members.
H.B. 2152 amends current law relating to the confidentiality of certain information concerning service members of the state military forces.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 437, Government Code, by adding Section 437.232, as follows:
Sec. 437.232. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION. (a) Provides that information that relates to the military service of a service member ordered to state active duty, including the service member's name, orders, and the location of the service member's deployment, is confidential and not subject to Chapter 552 (Public Information) during the period the service member remains ordered to state active duty.
(b) Provides that, after a service member is relieved from duty, information pertaining to the service member's state active duty is public information and is not excepted from required disclosure under Chapter 552, subject to state and federal laws governing disclosure of military information.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 552.117(a), Government Code, as follows:
(a) Provides that information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 (Availability of Public Information) if it is information that relates to the home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, or social security number of the following person or that reveals whether the person has family members:
(1)-(8) Makes no change to these subdivisions;
(9) and (10) Makes nonsubstantive changes; or
(11) a current or former member of the Texas military forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001 (Definitions).
SECTION 3. Provides that the changes in law made by this Act apply only to a request for information that is received by a governmental body or an officer for public information on or after the effective date of this Act. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2015.