HBA-NLM H.B. 461 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 461 By: Wise Civil Practices 3/8/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, in civil cases where the personal identity of a plaintiff is concealed during court proceedings, there is no statutory requirement to conceal the personal identification of a defendant. The release of the identity of a defendant in a civil case to the public may provoke salacious and defamatory actions against defendants while a court of law is in the process of determining liability. H.B. 461 requires that in a civil case in which the identity of the plaintiff is concealed by any means, including the use of initials, the defendant's identity be concealed by similar means. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 30, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, by adding Section 30.016, as follows: Sec. 30.016. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION. Requires that in a civil case in which the identity of the plaintiff is concealed by any means, including the use of initials, the defendant's identity be concealed by similar means. Authorizes the court to enforce this section by contempt proceedings or by other appropriate means. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.