Bill Text: TX HB382 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Engrossed

Texas House Bill 382 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating to certain limitations on settlement agreements with a governmental unit.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-05-16 - Left pending in committee [HB382 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB382-Engrossed.html



	By: Burnam, Turner of Tarrant, et al.	H.B. No. 382



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to certain limitations on settlement agreements with a
	governmental unit.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Title 5, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
	amended by adding Chapter 112 to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 112. LIMITATION ON SETTLEMENT OF CLAIM OR ACTION AGAINST A
	GOVERNMENTAL UNIT
	Sec. 112.001. CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON SETTLEMENT BY A
	GOVERNMENTAL UNIT. (a) In this chapter, "governmental unit" has
	the meaning assigned by Section 101.001.
	(b) The attorney general or another attorney representing a
	governmental unit may not enter into a settlement of a claim or
	action against the governmental unit in which the amount of the
	settlement is greater than or equal to $30,000 and a condition of
	the settlement requires a party seeking affirmative relief against
	the governmental unit to agree not to disclose any fact,
	allegation, evidence, or other matter to any other person,
	including a journalist or other member of the media. A
	nondisclosure provision in violation of this chapter is void and
	unenforceable. A governmental unit may not disclose the personal
	information of the party seeking affirmative relief unless the
	party agrees to the disclosure.

	(c) This chapter does not affect information that is
	privileged or confidential under other law.
	SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to the
	settlement of a claim or action with respect to which the cause of
	action on which the claim or action is based accrues on or after the
	effective date of this Act. A claim or action with respect to which
	the cause of action on which the claim or action is based accrues
	before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
	effect immediately before that date, and that law is continued in
	effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.