Bill Text: TX SB519 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the dissemination of eviction case information.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-14 - Referred to Business & Commerce [SB519 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SB519-Introduced.html
 
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 519
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the dissemination of eviction case information.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 24, Property Code, is amended by adding
  Section 24.012 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.012.  LIMITED DISSEMINATION OF EVICTION CASE
  INFORMATION.  (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Eviction case" means a lawsuit brought under this
  chapter to recover possession of leased or rented real property
  from a tenant.
               (2)  "Eviction case information" means all records and
  files related to a filing of an eviction case, including petitions
  and their dispositions.
         (b)  Concurrently with a judgment or dismissal in an eviction
  case or on petition of a defendant in an eviction case where a final
  order exists, a court shall enter an order of limited dissemination
  of the eviction case information pertaining to the defendant if:
               (1)  a judgment is or was entered in favor of the
  defendant;
               (2)  the eviction case is or was dismissed without any
  relief granted to the plaintiff;
               (3)  the defendant is or was a residential tenant not
  otherwise in default and the eviction case was brought by the
  landlord's successor in interest following foreclosure; or
               (4)  at least five years have elapsed from the date of
  the final judgment in the eviction case.
         (c)  Concurrently with a judgment or dismissal in an eviction
  case or on petition of a defendant in an eviction case, a court may
  order the limited dissemination of eviction case information
  pertaining to the defendant if the court finds that:
               (1)  the limited dissemination of the eviction case
  information is in the interest of justice; and
               (2)  the interest of justice is not outweighed by the
  public's interest in knowing the eviction case information.
         (d)  If an order is entered granting limited dissemination of
  eviction case information of a defendant under this section:
               (1)  all courts or clerks shall delete or redact all
  index references to the name of the defendant that relate to the
  eviction case information from the public records; and
               (2)  except to the extent permitted by federal law, a
  credit reporting agency, a person who regularly collects and
  disseminates eviction case information, or a person who sells
  eviction case information may not:
                     (A)  disclose the existence of the eviction case;
  or
                     (B)  use the eviction case information as a factor
  in determining a score or recommendation in a tenant screening
  report regarding the defendant.
         (e)  A person who knowingly violates Subsection (d) is liable
  to an injured party for:
               (1)  actual damages;
               (2)  exemplary damages of $1,000; and
               (3)  reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.
         (f)  Notwithstanding Section 41.004(a), Civil Practice and
  Remedies Code, a court shall award exemplary damages under
  Subsection (e) (2) to the injured party irrespective of whether the
  party is awarded actual damages.
         (g)  The supreme court shall adopt rules necessary to
  implement this section.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2020, the Texas Supreme
  Court shall adopt the rules necessary to implement Section 24.012,
  Property Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2020.
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