This section makes certain crime victim or claimant information held by the attorney general’s office confidential, but names and compensation amounts become public once compensation is awarded. An eligible governmental employee may choose whether identifying information may be released, and that election must be made in writing by a deadline.
Sec. 552.132. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CRIME VICTIM OR CLAIMANT INFORMATION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), in this section, "crime victim or claimant" means: (1) a victim or claimant under Chapter 56B, Code of Criminal Procedure, who has filed an application for compensation under that chapter; or (2) a person who has filed an application for compensation under Chapter 56C, Code of Criminal Procedure. (b) The following information held by the attorney general's office in connection with an application for compensation under Chapter 56B or 56C, Code of Criminal Procedure, is confidential: (1) the name, social security number, address, or telephone number of a crime victim or claimant; or (2) any other information the disclosure of which would identify or tend to identify the crime victim or claimant. (c) If the crime victim or claimant is awarded compensation under Article 56B.103, 56B.104, or 56C.003, Code of Criminal Procedure, as of the date of the award of compensation, the name of the crime victim or claimant and the amount of compensation awarded to that crime victim or claimant are public information and are not excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021. (d) An employee of a governmental body who is also a victim under Chapter 56B, Code of Criminal Procedure, or has suffered property damage for which the employee is eligible for compensation under Chapter 56C of that code, regardless of whether the employee has filed an application for compensation under the applicable chapter, may elect whether to allow public access to information held by the attorney general's office or other governmental body that would identify or tend to identify the employee, including a photograph or other visual representation of the employee. An election under this subsection must be made in writing on a form developed by the governmental body, be signed by the employee, and be filed with the governmental body before the third anniversary of the latest to occur of one of the following: (1) the date the crime was committed or the property damage occurred, as applicable; (2) the date employment begins; or (3) the date the governmental body develops the form and provides it to employees. (e) If the employee fails to make an election under Subsection (d), the identifying information is excepted from disclosure until the third anniversary of the date the crime was committed. In case of disability, impairment, or other incapacity of the employee, the election may be made by the guardian of the employee or former employee. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1039, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 290 (H.B. 1042), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 469 (H.B. 4173), Sec. 2.49, eff. January 1, 2021. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1156 (S.B. 2601), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2025.