This section makes certain report-related information confidential, but allows some disclosures to specified recipients and lets law enforcement or the center disclose to the public for a law-enforcement purpose, with an identity-protection limit.
Sec. 607.056. CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, information is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, if the information is: (1) from a report received by the department under Section 607.053 or 607.054; or (2) prepared or compiled by the department in connection with the report or an investigation conducted under this subchapter. (b) Information described by Subsection (a) may be disclosed to: (1) an institution of higher education; (2) a law enforcement agency; (3) the center; (4) a credit card issuer, a debit card issuer, a financial institution that is not a credit card issuer, or a payment card network that may be impacted by the use of a skimmer on a motor fuel unattended payment terminal or motor fuel metering device; (5) another person if the disclosure of the information is permitted or required by other law or court order; (6) a trade association representing a financial institution; or (7) a department contractor or other agent. (c) The disclosure of information under Subsection (b) is not a voluntary disclosure for purposes of Section 552.007, Government Code. (d) On the dismissal or final resolution of a report by the department, information described by Subsection (a) is subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code. (e) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a law enforcement agency or the center may disclose to the public information made confidential by that subsection if the law enforcement agency or the chief intelligence coordinator for the center determines that the disclosure of the information furthers a law enforcement purpose, except that a law enforcement agency or the center may not disclose to the public the identity of a person that submits a report of a suspected skimmer to the department under Section 607.053 or 607.054. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 863 (H.B. 2945), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019. Amended by: Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 336 (H.B. 2106), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2021. SUBCHAPTER C. ENFORCEMENT