85R1534 TJB-F
 
  By: Rodriguez of Travis H.B. No. 233
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the exception of certain information related to the
  humane disposition by a municipality or county of an animal from
  required disclosure under the public information law.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 552, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 552.1177 to read as follows:
         Sec. 552.1177.  EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN
  INFORMATION RELATED TO HUMANE DISPOSITION OF ANIMAL.  (a)  Except as
  provided by Subsection (b), information is confidential and
  excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if the
  information relates to the name, address, telephone number, e-mail
  address, driver's license number, social security number, or other
  personally identifying information of a person who obtains
  ownership or control of an animal from a municipality or county
  making a humane disposition of the animal under a municipal
  ordinance or an order of the commissioners court.
         (b)  A governmental body may disclose information made
  confidential by Subsection (a) to a governmental entity, or to a
  person who under a contract with a governmental entity provides
  animal control services, animal registration services, or related
  services to the governmental entity, for purposes related to the
  protection of public health and safety.
         (c)  A governmental entity or other person that receives
  information under Subsection (b):
               (1)  must maintain the confidentiality of the
  information;
               (2)  may not disclose the information under this
  chapter; and
               (3)  may not use the information for a purpose that does
  not directly relate to the protection of public health and safety.
         (d)  A governmental body, by providing public information
  under Subsection (b) that is confidential or otherwise excepted
  from required disclosure under law, does not waive or affect the
  confidentiality of the information for purposes of state or federal
  law or waive the right to assert exceptions to required disclosure
  of the information in the future.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies 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.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2017.