87R3149 CJC-D
 
  By: Ramos H.B. No. 1251
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to protection for public employees who report violations
  of law by governmental entities or other public employees; creating
  a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 554, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 554.0025 to read as follows:
         Sec. 554.0025.  DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITY OF REPORTING PUBLIC
  EMPLOYEE PROHIBITED; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if
  the person discloses the identity of a public employee who in good
  faith reports a violation of law by the employing state or local
  governmental entity or another public employee to an appropriate
  law enforcement authority if the disclosure is made to a person who
  is not assisting in the investigation or prosecution of the
  violation of law reported by the public employee.
         (b)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
         (c)  It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this
  section that the public employee who reported the violation of law
  consented to the disclosure of the employee's identity.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.