AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Interested parties note that certain information that relates to the military service and certain personal information that relates to a service member of the state military forces who is ordered to state active duty should be subject to certain confidentiality restrictions. These parties are concerned that such information, should it fall into the wrong hands, could put the service member's family and property in danger. C.S.H.B. 2152 seeks to help protect these service members' families and property while they are deployed.

 

C.S.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 MILITARY PERSONNEL INFORMATION. (a) Defines “military personnel information.”

 

(b) Provides that a service member’s military personnel information is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552 (Public 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.