HB4344 - Relating to access to and use of criminal history record information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

      H.B. No. 4344         AN ACT   relating to access to and use of criminal history record   information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 411.14031, Government Code, is amended   by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (c) and adding Subsections   (a-1) and (b-1) to read as follows:          (a)  The Public Utility Commission of Texas is entitled to   obtain as provided by Subsection (a-1) [ from the department ]   criminal history record information [ maintained by the department ]   that relates to an applicant for employment at, a current employee   of, or a person who contracts or may contract to provide goods or   services for the Public Utility Commission of Texas [ a person   undergoing a background and criminal history check under Section   12.107, Utilities Code ].           (a-1)     Subject to Section 411.087 and consistent with the   public policy of this state, the Public Utility Commission of Texas   is entitled to:                 (1)     obtain through the Federal Bureau of Investigation   criminal history record information maintained or indexed by that   bureau that pertains to a person described by Subsection (a); and                 (2)     obtain from the department or any other criminal   justice agency in this state criminal history record information   maintained by the department or that criminal justice agency that   relates to a person described by Subsection (a).          (b)  Criminal history record information obtained under   Subsection (a-1) [ (a):                [ (1) ]  is for the exclusive use of the Public Utility   Commission of Texas and is privileged and confidential .           (b-1)     The Public Utility Commission of Texas may not release   or disclose to any person criminal history record information   obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Subsection   (a-1)(1). Criminal history record information obtained by the   Public Utility Commission of Texas under Subsection (a-1)(2) [ ; and                [ (2) ]  may not be released or disclosed to any person or   agency except on court order or with the consent of the person who   is the subject of the information.          (c)  The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall [ may ]   destroy criminal history record information obtained under this   section [ Subsection (a) ] after the information is used for the   purpose authorized by this section.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 4344 was passed by the House on May 2,   2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 130, Nays 5, 1 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 4344 on May 23, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 126, Nays 8,   2 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 4344 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 19, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays   0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor