TITLE: Relating to the confidentiality of an emergency call.

SUMMARY: Relating to the confidentiality of an emergency call.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the confidentiality of an emergency call. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 552, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 552.157 to read as follows: Sec. 552.157. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CONTENT OF EMERGENCY CALL. (a) A recording or transcript of an emergency call made to a public safety agency or a public safety answering point, as those terms are defined by Section 772.001, Health and Safety Code, is confidential. (b) A governmental body shall disclose information that is confidential under this section and that is not confidential or otherwise excepted from required disclosure under another provision of law to a requestor who: (1) has the express consent of the person who placed the emergency call or of a legal representative of the person; (2) is an investigator licensed under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, who certifies that the information will only be used in conjunction with a civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding in a court or government agency, including service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation, execution or enforcement of a judgment or order, or under any order of any court; or (3) is a first responder as defined by Section 421.095. (c) A governmental body may withhold a recording or transcript described by Subsection (a) without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.