This section keeps certain retirement-system records confidential, limits when they may be released, and lets the retirement system require a social security number when needed for administration or if required by law.
Sec. 815.503. RECORDS. (a) Records of members, annuitants, retirees, beneficiaries, and alternate payees under retirement plans administered by the retirement system that are in the custody of the system or of an administering firm, carrier, or other governmental agency acting in cooperation with or on behalf of the retirement system are confidential and not subject to public disclosure, and the retirement system, administering firm, carrier, or governmental agency is not required to accept or comply with a request for a record or information about a record or to seek an opinion from the attorney general, because the records are exempt from the provisions of Chapter 552, except as otherwise provided by this section. (b) Records may be released to a member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, or alternate payee or to an authorized attorney, family member, or representative acting on behalf of the member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, or alternate payee. The retirement system may release the records to an administering firm, carrier, or agent or attorney acting on behalf of the retirement system, to another governmental entity having a legitimate need for the information to perform the purposes of the retirement system, or to a party in response to a subpoena issued under applicable law. (b-1) A record released or received by the retirement system under this section may be transmitted electronically, including through the use of an electronic signature or certification in a form acceptable to the retirement system. An unintentional disclosure to, or unauthorized access by, a third party related to the transmission or receipt of information under this section is not a violation by the retirement system of any law, including a law or rule relating to the protection of confidential information. (c) The records of a member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, or alternate payee remain confidential after release to a person as authorized by this section. The records of a member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, or alternate payee may become part of the public record of an administrative or judicial proceeding related to a contested case under Subtitle D or E or this subtitle, and the member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, or alternate payee waives the confidentiality of the records, including medical records unless the records are closed to public access by a protective order issued under applicable law. (d) The retirement system may require a person to provide the person's social security number as the system considers necessary to ensure the proper administration of all services, benefits, plans, and programs under the retirement system's administration, oversight, or participation, or as otherwise required by state or federal law. (e) The retirement system has sole discretion in determining if a record is subject to this section. For purposes of this section, a record includes any identifying information about a person, living or deceased, who is or was a member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, or alternate payee, under any retirement plan or program administered by the retirement system. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1876, ch. 453, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Renumbered from Vernon's Ann.Civ.St. Title 110B, Sec. 25.503 and amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 179, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.95(97), eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1541, Sec. 27, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 24, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1111, Sec. 28, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1308 (H.B. 2559), Sec. 23, eff. September 1, 2009.