Sec. 20.21. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Protected consumer" means an individual who resides in this state and is younger than 16 years of age at the time a request for the placement of a security freeze is made.

(2) "Record," with respect to a protected consumer, means a compilation of information identifying a protected consumer created by a consumer reporting agency solely to comply with this subchapter.

(3) "Representative" means a person who provides to a consumer reporting agency sufficient proof of authority to act on behalf of a protected consumer.

(4) "Security freeze," with respect to a protected consumer, means:

(A) if a consumer reporting agency does not have a consumer file pertaining to the protected consumer, a restriction that:

(i) is placed on the protected consumer's record in accordance with this subchapter; and

(ii) prohibits a consumer reporting agency from releasing a consumer report relating to the extension of credit involving the consumer's record without the express authorization of the consumer's representative or the consumer, as applicable; or

(B) if a consumer reporting agency has a consumer file pertaining to the protected consumer, a restriction that:

(i) is placed on the protected consumer's consumer report in accordance with this subchapter; and

(ii) except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, prohibits a consumer reporting agency from releasing the protected consumer's consumer report relating to the extension of credit involving that consumer file, or any information derived from the protected consumer's consumer report.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 64 (S.B. 60), Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2014.