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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information of |
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current and former service members of the United States armed |
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forces who apply for or receive benefits and services from the |
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Veterans Land Board. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 161, Natural Resources |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 161.____ to read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.____. CONFIDENTIALITY. |
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(a) Notwithstanding Section 552.137(c)(1), Government |
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Code, the following information received or maintained by the Board |
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is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, |
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Government Code: |
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(1) the name, home address, telephone number, e-mail |
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address, emergency contact information, social security number, or |
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any other information that reveals whether the person has family |
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members, of: |
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(A) a Veteran or their family member that applies |
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for or receives any benefits or services offered by the Board; or |
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(B) a current member of the United States Army, |
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Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, an auxiliary service |
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of one of those branches of the armed forces, or the Texas military |
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forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001, Government |
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Code. |
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(b) The Board may disclose or release the information in |
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Subsection (a)(1) to: |
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(1) a federal agency, state agency, city, or county |
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for the purpose of fulfilling the Board's duty to administer any |
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benefits or services offered by the Board for Veterans or their |
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family members; or |
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(2) a private entity or individual contracted or hired |
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by the Board for the purpose of assisting the Board in administering |
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any benefits or services offered by the Board for Veterans or their |
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family members; or |
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(3) any person or persons with the written consent of |
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those named in Subsection (a)(1)(A) and (B) for the limited purpose |
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specified in such written consent. |
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(c) Any information released or disclosed pursuant to |
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Subsection (b) is not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, |
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Government Code and will not constitute a voluntary disclosure to |
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the public by the Board for purposes of Section 552.007, Government |
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Code. |
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SECTION 2: This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |