TITLE: Relating to the confidentiality of certain information concerning a firefighter or peace officer applicant.

SUMMARY: Relating to the confidentiality of certain information concerning a firefighter or peace officer applicant.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the confidentiality of certain information concerning a firefighter or peace officer applicant. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 552, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 552.159 to read as follows: Sec. 552.159. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATED TO SUITABILITY OF APPLICANT TO BE PEACE OFFICER OR FIREFIGHTER. Information maintained by a governmental body that relates to a background investigation of an applicant for a peace officer or firefighter position with the governmental body is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if the information: (1) is obtained from another person; and (2) concerns the character or suitability of the applicant to be a peace officer or firefighter. SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a request for information that is received by a governmental body or an officer for public information on or after the effective date of this Act. A request for information that was received before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the request was received, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.