Overall Vote Recommendation

Yes

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

Digest

SB 370 seeks to amend Section 552.117(a) and (c) of the Texas Government Code, expanding the scope of information protected from public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA). Specifically, this bill extends privacy protections to the personal information of a child, spouse, or surviving spouse of both current and former employees of the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Previously, such protections were limited to OAG employees in law enforcement-related divisions. SB 370 removes this limitation, applying privacy protections uniformly to all current and former employees of the OAG and their family members.

Author

Charles Perry

Sponsor

Sam Harless

Contact the Author

Sen. Charles Perry

Capitol Phone:

(512) 463-0128

Capitol Office:

EXT E1.806

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Visit Official Website

Fiscal Notes

SB 370 does not require new funding or impose additional financial burdens on state or local governments. The administrative changes related to protecting the personal information of certain individuals can be handled within existing budgets.

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 370 expands privacy protections under the Texas Public Information Act by preventing the disclosure of certain personal information (home address, phone number, Social Security number, and emergency contact information) of the child, spouse, or surviving spouse of current and former employees of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Previously, these protections were limited to OAG employees in law enforcement-related divisions.

Given its measured approach to privacy protections while maintaining government transparency, SB 370 is a sound policy decision that should be supported.

View Bill Text and Status