Technology (Consumer Data Protection)

in committee · Texas · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 1223: Relating to a prohibition on the collection by a state agency of biometric information from an applicant for an occupational license.

SB 1223 prohibits Texas state agencies from collecting biometric information (such as fingerprints) from applicants seeking occupational licenses, unless another law specifically authorizes such collection. This bill directly affects individuals applying for professional licenses (e.g., cosmetology, contracting, healthcare) by preventing agencies from requiring biometric data as part of the application process. The law adds a new section to the Occupations Code, explicitly banning this collection practice while allowing exceptions where other statutes permit it. The bill takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits state agencies from collecting biometric data without authorization, strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Tags Licensing

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in committee · Texas · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 4562: Relating to a prohibition on the transfer of certain personal data without consent.

HB 4562 prohibits the sharing of Texas residents' phone numbers with third parties without their explicit consent. It applies to businesses operating in Texas or deriving revenue from sharing phone numbers of individuals they don't collect data from directly. The law requires clear affirmative consent (like a written statement or unambiguous action) before any disclosure, release, or sale of phone numbers. Violations can be enforced by the Attorney General after a 30-day cure period, with penalties including being classified as a deceptive trade practice. This bill directly affects businesses that handle phone numbers of Texas residents, such as data brokers or marketing firms.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires explicit consent for sharing phone numbers, strengthening data privacy protections under Texas law per bill's core mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 16, 2025

SB 585: Relating to the reporting of certain criminal history record information on a consumer report.

SB 585 limits how long certain criminal history can appear in background checks used for employment, housing, or other consumer purposes. It prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including arrest, conviction, or disposition records older than seven years (except for serious crimes), with similar time limits for bankruptcy, civil judgments, and tax liens. This directly affects job applicants, renters, and others whose background checks might previously have included outdated records. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to reports furnished after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits outdated criminal records in background checks for employment/housing, aiding reentry and reducing barriers - core criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits outdated criminal records in housing background checks, reducing discrimination and aiding tenant access to housing.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLimits outdated criminal history in employment background checks, reducing hiring barriers for workers with past minor offenses and advancing fair employment access.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts retention of personal data (criminal/financial history) in consumer reports, directly advancing data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · Texas · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 5432: Relating to the dissemination by the Department of Public Safety of criminal history record information to consumer reporting agencies.

HB 5432 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to publicly post specific details online whenever it shares criminal history records with consumer reporting agencies. The bill mandates that for each such disclosure, the department must publish the agency's name, contact information (phone, address, email if available), and the dissemination date on its website. This applies to agencies defined under Texas Business & Commerce Code Section 20.01. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change who receives records or the content of the records shared.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparency in criminal history data sharing with consumer agencies, enhancing personal information protection per Texas law's specified subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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passed · Texas · House May 8, 2025

HB 3719: Relating to the availability of dates of birth under the public information law.

HB 3719 requires Texas government agencies to release dates of birth in public records unless specific exceptions apply. It directly affects citizens, journalists, and researchers requesting public information, as agencies can no longer withhold dates of birth by default under the Public Information Act. The bill clarifies that dates of birth must be disclosed unless exempt under existing law (Section 552.102), federal HIPAA privacy rules (45 C.F.R. Parts 160-164), or other constitutional/statutory law. The change applies only to requests received on or after September 1, 2025 (or immediately if approved by two-thirds vote). This policy adjustment standardizes public access to dates of birth while preserving existing privacy protections.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRequires public disclosure of dates of birth by default, weakening privacy protections under Protection of Personal Information subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Tags Government Transparency

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signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2121: Relating to the regulation of certain business entities that act as data brokers.

SB 2121 regulates data brokers in Texas by defining them as businesses that collect, process, or transfer personal data not gathered directly from individuals. It applies only to data brokers meeting one of two thresholds: deriving over 50% of revenue from such data, or processing data for more than 50,000 individuals. The bill amends Texas' Business & Commerce Code to establish these criteria, effective September 1, 2025, and directly affects larger data brokerage entities meeting these specific revenue or scale thresholds.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates data brokers to protect personal information, aligning with data privacy safeguards under Texas law per bill's definition and thresholds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

in committee · Texas · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 483: Relating to the sharing and protection of certain utility proprietary customer information.

SB 483 allows electric utilities to request basic customer contact information (name, phone, email, address) from retail electric providers without needing prior customer authorization, specifically for communicating about emergencies, service interruptions, or restoration. Retail providers must share this information within 48 hours of a request. The bill requires utilities handling this data to implement security measures like encryption and limits retention to only what's necessary for emergency communications. It directly affects retail electric providers, utilities, and customers by streamlining emergency contact sharing while mandating data security protections. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates encryption and limits data retention for utility customer info, aligning with data privacy protections under Protection of Personal Information subject.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · Texas · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 151: Relating to a matching grant program for technological enhancements at certain health care facilities that provide mental health care services.

SB 151 creates a state matching grant program to fund technological upgrades at hospitals providing mental health care services. Eligible facilities include rural hospitals (licensed under Chapter 241) and any hospital (licensed under Chapter 577) that demonstrates how funds will improve mental health care quality and access. Grants require 25% non-state matching funds (from donations or gifts) and can only be used for specific digital health tools like certified electronic health records, interoperability systems, patient portal access, data security, and mobile device integration. The program mandates annual legislative reporting on outcomes and aligns with federal 21st Century Cures Act standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds tech upgrades for mental health care facilities to improve quality/access, directly supporting mental health services through state grants.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds certified digital health tools (e.g., EHRs) for mental health care facilities under Electronic Information Systems subject, directly advancing technology adoption in healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · Texas · Senate Feb 7, 2025

SB 726: Relating to requiring operators of smart devices to provide information to users about the collection of personal data.

SB 726 requires smart device manufacturers and sellers operating in Texas to provide users with clear, mobile-app-based information about how their personal data is collected and used. It mandates disclosure of seven specific details, including the types of data collected (like usage patterns, biometrics, or audio), the purposes for collection, how data is captured, storage locations (local or remote), and security policies. The bill directly affects companies that make or sell smart home devices, wearables, or connected appliances that collect personal data. Excluded from the requirement are state agencies, local governments, and utility providers. This law aims to increase transparency around data practices for Texas consumers using smart devices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparent data collection disclosures for smart devices, directly protecting user privacy under consumer protection laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · Texas · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 3755: Relating to biometric identifiers used in the performance of artificial intelligence.

HB 3755 regulates how businesses handle biometric data (like fingerprints, facial scans, or voice recordings) used in commercial artificial intelligence systems. It specifically requires businesses to follow data destruction rules and face penalties if they collect biometric data for AI purposes and later use it for unrelated commercial activities. The bill does not apply to AI systems using biometrics solely for identifying specific individuals, such as for security or authentication. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, and directly affects companies collecting biometric data for AI applications in Texas.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates biometric data use in AI, requiring data destruction and penalizing misuse for unrelated commercial activities, enhancing data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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