Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

STATE AFFAIRS
Issues
FFAIRS/Public Information & Privacy
77 th Texas Legislature
• the identifying information the person seeking to have expunged was falsely given by the arrestee
as the arrestee’s identifying information without the consent of the person seeking expunction; and
• the only reason for the identifying information being contained in the arrest records and files is that
the information was falsely given by the arrestee as the arrestee’s identifying information.
Sets out what must be contained in a petition to expunge the identifying information.
Sets out the duties of an official, agency, or other entity upon receiving an order granting expunction.
Disclosure of Information Regarding Officers’ Resignation or Termination - S.B. 1583
by Senator Van de Putte
House Sponsor: Representative Hinojosa
Reports or statements submitted to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and
Education (TCLEOSE) regarding an officer’s employment record are confidential and not subject to public
disclosure. The behavior of officers is something to which many citizens action and police oversight groups
pay close attention. In addition, the truthfulness of officers when testifying may not be properly gauged if
the public is not aware of the officer's on-duty conduct.
Excepts from confidentiality requirements those reports or statements submitted to TCLEOSE, if the officer
resigned or was terminated due to substantiated incidents of excessive force or violations of law other than
traffic offenses.
Disclosure of Medical Billing Records Regarding a Patient - H.B. 398
by Representative Smith
Senate Sponsor: Senator Nelson
In some instances, there has been confusion over the ability or right of an individual to procure personal
billing records regarding medical services provided to the individual. While physicians are required to
provide medical records within a set time period after receiving a written request, current law does not
specify a time limit for billing records, and individuals may have to wait a lengthy period of time to receive
their records.
Provides that an exception to the privilege of confidentiality in a court or administrative proceeding exists in
a disciplinary investigation or proceeding conducted under this subtitle, if the Texas State Board of Medical
Examiners (board) protects the identity of any patient whose billing records are examined other than certain
patients.
Requires physicians who have denied a request to release certain medical records, in whole or in part, to
place a copy of the statement denying the request in the patient's billing records, if the request was for
billing records, or in the medical records, if the request was for medical records.
Senate Research Center 288