Sec. 182.052. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION. (a) Except as provided by Section 182.054, a government-operated utility may not disclose personal information in a customer's account record, or any information relating to the volume or units of utility usage or the amounts billed to or collected from the individual for utility usage, if the customer requests that the government-operated utility keep the information confidential. However, a government-operated utility may disclose information related to the customer's volume or units of utility usage or amounts billed to or collected from the individual for utility usage if the primary source of water for such utility was a sole-source designated aquifer.

(b) A customer may request confidentiality by delivering to the government-operated utility an appropriately marked form provided under Subsection (c)(3) or any other written request for confidentiality.

(c) A government-operated utility shall include with a bill sent to each customer:

(1) a notice of the customer's right to request confidentiality under this subchapter;

(2) a statement of the amount of any fee applicable to the request; and

(3) a form by which the customer may request confidentiality by marking an appropriate box on the form and returning it to the government-operated utility.

(d) A customer may rescind a request for confidentiality by providing the government-operated utility written permission to disclose personal information.

(e) A governmental body as defined by Section 552.003, Government Code, may withhold information prohibited from being disclosed under this section without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government Code.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 966, Sec. 2.59, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 692 (H.B. 685), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.