86R13383 BRG-F
 
  By: Shine H.B. No. 3534
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the disclosure to a law enforcement agency of
  confidential information relating to a complaint filed with the
  Texas Ethics Commission; creating a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 571.140(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (b-1) or by
  Section 571.1401 or 571.171, proceedings at a preliminary review
  hearing performed by the commission, a sworn complaint, and
  documents and any additional evidence relating to the processing,
  preliminary review, preliminary review hearing, or resolution of a
  sworn complaint or motion are confidential and may not be disclosed
  unless entered into the record of a formal hearing or a judicial
  proceeding, except that a document or statement that was previously
  public information remains public information.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 571, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 571.1401 to read as follows:
         Sec. 571.1401.  CERTAIN DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. (a) The
  commission may disclose to a law enforcement agency information
  that is confidential under Section 571.140(a) to the extent
  necessary for the recipient of the information to perform a duty or
  function that is separate from the commission's duties and
  functions.
         (b)  Information disclosed to a law enforcement agency under
  this section remains confidential, and the agency receiving the
  information shall take appropriate measures to prevent disclosure
  of the information.
         (c)  A person commits an offense if the person discloses
  confidential information obtained under this section. An offense
  under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.