(b) Unless the disclosure is required or permitted by other law, a public servant or other person commits an offense if the person:

(1) has access to or obtains the name, address, or telephone number of a victim younger than 17 years of age; and

(2) knowingly discloses the name, address, or telephone number of the victim to any person who is not assisting in the investigation or prosecution of the offense or to any person other than the defendant, the defendant's attorney, or a person specified in an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (b) that the actor is:

(1) the victim; or

(2) the victim's parent, conservator, or guardian, unless the actor is a defendant in the case.

Text of subsection as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1217 (H.B. 1944), Sec. 2

(c-1) It is an exception to the application of this article that:

(1) the person who discloses the name, address, or telephone number of a victim is the inspector general of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;

(2) the victim is an inmate or state jail defendant confined in a facility operated by or under contract with the department; and

(3) the person to whom the disclosure is made is the department's ombudsperson.

Text of subsection as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 619 (H.B. 433), Sec. 2

(c-1) It is an exception to the application of this article that:

(1) the person who discloses the name, address, or telephone number of a victim is the inspector general of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;

(2) the victim is an inmate or state jail defendant confined in a facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and

(3) the person to whom the disclosure is made is an employee of the department.

(d) An offense under this article is a Class C misdemeanor.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1337, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 619 (H.B. 433), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1217 (H.B. 1944), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2007.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 469 (H.B. 4173), Sec. 3.01, eff. January 1, 2021.