HBA-JRA, MPM H.B. 692 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 692
By: Janek
Public Health
6/24/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislature, anyone could obtain the social security
number of an applicant for or holder of a license or other legal
authorization to practice an occupation or profession by calling the
licensing agency, a practice which may have made a physician susceptible to
fraud.  The attorney general has ruled that a social security number is not
considered confidential data, although current state law provides
protection for an individual's social security number by labeling it as
"personal information," thus qualifying it as confidential.  H.B. 692
provides for the confidentiality of the social security number of an
applicant for or holder of a license, certificate of registration, or other
legal authorization issued by a profession. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.  Provides that the
social security number provided by an applicant for or holder of a license,
certificate of registration, or other legal authorization issued by a
profession is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the open
records law. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.