Bill > SB1299

This bill establishes new legal protections for personal affiliation information related to nonprofit organizations, creating restrictions on how public agencies can collect, use, and disclose such information. The bill defines "personal affiliation information" as any list or record that identifies a person's membership, support, volunteering, or financial donations to a nonprofit organization. Public agencies are prohibited from requiring individuals or nonprofits to provide such information, from releasing or publicizing this information, and from requesting contractors to disclose their nonprofit support. The bill includes several exceptions to these restrictions, such as information voluntarily released to the public, information related to legal proceedings with appropriate protections, and specific scenarios involving government investigations or security checks. Violations of these provisions can result in civil actions where individuals can seek injunctive relief and damages of at least $2,500 per violation, with potential treble damages for intentional violations. Additionally, the bill creates a criminal offense for knowingly violating these restrictions, which would be classified as a Class B misdemeanor. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to personal affiliation information released on or after that date, providing a clear timeline for implementation and compliance.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1299