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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the disclosure to a law enforcement agency of |
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confidential information relating to a complaint filed with the |
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Texas Ethics Commission; creating a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 571.140(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (b-1) or by |
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Section 571.1401 or 571.171, proceedings at a preliminary review |
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hearing performed by the commission, a sworn complaint, and |
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documents and any additional evidence relating to the processing, |
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preliminary review, preliminary review hearing, or resolution of a |
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sworn complaint or motion are confidential and may not be disclosed |
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unless entered into the record of a formal hearing or a judicial |
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proceeding, except that a document or statement that was previously |
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public information remains public information. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 571, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 571.1401 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 571.1401. CERTAIN DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. (a) To |
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protect the public interest, the commission may disclose to a law |
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enforcement agency information that is confidential under Section |
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571.140(a). |
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(b) The commission may disclose information under this |
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section only to the extent necessary for the recipient of the |
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information to perform a duty or function that is in addition to the |
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commission's duties and functions. |
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(c) Information disclosed to a law enforcement agency under |
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this section remains confidential, and the agency must take |
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appropriate measures to maintain that confidentiality. |
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(d) A person commits an offense if the person discloses |
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confidential information obtained under this section. An offense |
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under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |