Sec. 161.080. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION. (a) This section applies only to:
(1) a veteran or a family member of the veteran who applies for or receives any benefits or services offered by the board; or
(2) a current member of:
(A) the armed forces of the United States, including a reserve component; or
(B) the Texas military forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001, Government Code.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the following information received or maintained by the board that relates to a person to whom this section applies is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code:
(1) name;
(2) home address;
(3) telephone number;
(4) e-mail address;
(5) emergency contact information;
(6) social security number; or
(7) any other information that reveals whether the person has family members.
(c) The board may disclose the information described by Subsection (b) to:
(1) a federal agency, state agency, political subdivision of this state, or private vendor contracted by the board for the purpose of administering any benefits or services offered by the board for veterans or the family members of veterans; or
(2) any person with the written consent of a person to whom this section applies if:
(A) the information is disclosed for the purpose specified in the written consent; and
(B) the disclosed information relates to the consenting person.
(d) Information disclosed under Subsection (c) is not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, and the disclosure does not constitute a voluntary disclosure to the public by the board for purposes of Section 552.007, Government Code.
(e) To the extent of any conflict between this section and Section 552.137, Government Code, this section prevails.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 472 (H.B. 562), Sec. 1, eff. June 10, 2023.