Technology (Data Privacy)

in committee · Texas · House May 14, 2025

HB 4514: Relating to the use of the Department of Public Safety image verification system for the purpose of verifying an individual's identity; authorizing a fee.

HB 4514 allows the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to use its image verification system to confirm an individual's identity upon request. The bill requires written consent from the person being verified, a fee to cover DPS costs, and strict confidentiality for all submitted information. It prohibits disclosure of images or personal data and mandates destruction of all submitted information after verification. This service directly affects anyone seeking identity verification (e.g., for legal or administrative purposes) who provides consent and pays the fee. The bill does not authorize use for criminal investigations or victim identification, as those remain covered under existing law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates strict confidentiality, prohibits disclosure, and requires destruction of biometric data during identity verification, directly protecting personal information in tech systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5081: Relating to the protection of personal identifying information of certain individuals in the judicial system; creating a criminal offense.

HB 5081 creates criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure of specific personal information belonging to judges, court clerks, and judicial employees in Texas. The bill defines "covered information" to include home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, school/daycare attendance details, and vehicle identifiers - excluding public property listings or standard employment data. It establishes Chapter 92 in the Government Code, making it a criminal offense to share this information without authorization. The law directly affects judicial branch staff and their families by protecting sensitive personal data from misuse. The bill became effective on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure of judicial personnel's personal data, strengthening data privacy protections under Texas law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4350: Relating to the omission or redaction of certain personal information from certain real property records.

HB 4350 requires county clerks to redact specific personal information - including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and residence addresses - from online public real property records when requested by certain officials. It applies to peace officers, federal judges, marshals, U.S. attorneys, state judges, and their family members as defined by law. County clerks must also display a clear notice on the website stating that redactions were made and that the online database isn’t the official record. The law took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates redaction of personal data (SSN, addresses) from public online property records to protect privacy, directly aligning with data privacy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 1841: Relating to the confidentiality of certain information collected by certain local governments and airport governing boards.

SB 1841 makes specific personal information collected by local governments and airport authorities confidential, preventing disclosure under Texas public records laws. It directly affects airports, parking facilities, and local governments that collect data like names, license plates, payment details, parking timestamps, travel itineraries, and payment card numbers from users. The bill requires these entities to keep such information private rather than making it publicly accessible through standard transparency requests. This law, signed by the governor and effective September 1, 2025, updates Texas Transportation Code provisions to protect passenger data collected during airport visits and related services.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates confidentiality of personal data (names, license plates, payment details) collected by local entities, directly strengthening data privacy protections under Technology policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 1569: Relating to the availability of certain personal information of a member of the governing board of an institution of higher education, the chief executive officer of the institution, or the chief executive officer of a university system.

SB 1569 exempts specific personal information - including home addresses, phone numbers, emergency contacts, and social security numbers - from public disclosure requirements under Texas law for certain higher education officials. It directly affects governing board members and top executives (chief executive officers) at Texas institutions of higher education and university systems. The bill amends the Government Code to create a permanent privacy exception for this information, regardless of whether these officials previously opted into existing privacy protections. This change takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts personal data (addresses, SSN) of higher ed officials from public disclosure, strengthening data privacy protections under Texas law per bill's core purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1540: Relating to maintaining the confidentiality of the personal information of election officials and their employees.

SB 1540 requires Texas to maintain the confidentiality of personal information for election officials and their employees, preventing public disclosure of details like home addresses and phone numbers. The bill amends Texas Government Code Section 552.1175 to explicitly protect this information from public records requests. It applies directly to current and former election officials and their staff across Texas, aiming to enhance their privacy and safety. The law was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects personal information of election officials from public disclosure, directly supporting data privacy within technology policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

in committee · Texas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 2680: Relating to the public information law.

SB 2680 modifies Texas' public information law to clarify how government agencies handle requests during emergencies and protect personal details in licensing records. It allows the attorney general to temporarily designate up to 30 nonbusiness days per year for agencies unable to respond due to disasters, requiring public posting of these designations online. The bill also strengthens privacy protections by explicitly making home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personal details confidential in licensing authority records (like professional licenses). These changes directly affect Texas government agencies processing public information requests and the individuals whose personal data is maintained in licensing systems. The law maintains existing privacy exceptions but adds specific, clear protections for sensitive personal information.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthens data privacy protections for personal details in licensing records, explicitly covering home addresses, phone numbers, and SSNs per technology policy focus on data privacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5080: Relating to the confidentiality of certain information for employees of a county, a court, or the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System and the employees' family members.

HB 5080 protects the privacy of certain court-related employees and their families by requiring voter registration offices to keep their home addresses and contact information confidential. It specifically applies to federal/state judges, clerks (county/district), court administrators, employees of the Office of Court Administration, and their family members. The bill amends election law to mandate that registrars omit these individuals' residence addresses from public voter lists, while also requiring the Office of Court Administration to notify relevant agencies (like county registrars and the Texas Ethics Commission) about who qualifies for this privacy protection. This creates a formal process to ensure sensitive personal information for these public employees remains private under existing state confidentiality laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates confidentiality of court employees' home addresses in voter lists, directly protecting personal information privacy per the bill's subject 'Protection of Personal Information'.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Texas · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 539: Relating to orders of nondisclosure for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

HB 539 would create a process for victims of human trafficking or forced prostitution to request court orders preventing the disclosure of their personal information in legal cases. This would help protect victims' privacy and reduce risks of retaliation or further harm during investigations or trials. The bill was filed on November 12, 2024, and referred to the Criminal Jurisprudence committee on March 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates court orders to protect trafficking victims' privacy, reducing retaliation risks and enhancing victim safety in legal proceedings, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects victims' data privacy through court orders preventing disclosure of personal information in trafficking cases, directly aligning with data privacy under technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Data Privacy

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in committee · Texas · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 2459: Relating to the protection of personal identifying information of certain persons in the judicial system; authorizing a civil right of action; creating criminal offenses.

This bill protects sensitive personal information of judges, court clerks, and court staff in Texas. It defines specific details to safeguard - including home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and children's school information - and prohibits data brokers or others from improperly sharing this data. The law creates a legal right for individuals to sue if their protected information is disclosed and establishes criminal penalties for violations. These changes apply to entities collecting or storing such information for judicial branch employees.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects judicial personnel data privacy via civil/criminal penalties, aligning with data privacy safeguards in tech policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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