Sec. 501.001. CERTAIN USES OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER PROHIBITED

(a) A person, other than a government or a governmental subdivision or agency, may not:

(1) intentionally communicate or otherwise make available to the public an individual's social security number;

(2) display an individual's social security number on a card or other device required to access a product or service provided by the person;

(3) require an individual to transmit the individual's social security number over the Internet unless:

(1) the Internet connection is secure; or

(2) the social security number is encrypted;

(4) require an individual's social security number for access to an Internet website unless a password or unique personal identification number or other authentication device is also required for access; or

(5) except as provided by Subsection (f), print an individual's social security number on any material sent by mail, unless state or federal law requires that social security number to be included in the material.

(b) A person using an individual's social security number before January 1, 2005, in a manner prohibited by Subsection (a) may continue that use if:

(1) the use is continuous; and

(2) beginning January 1, 2006, the person provides to the individual an annual disclosure stating that, on written request from the individual, the person will stop using the individual's social security number in a manner prohibited by Subsection (a).

(c) A person, other than a government or a governmental subdivision or agency, may not deny a service to an individual because the individual makes a written request under Subsection (b)(2).

(d) If a person receives a written request from an individual directing the person to stop using the individual's social security number in a manner prohibited by Subsection (a), the person shall comply with the request not later than the 30th day after the date the request is received. The person may not impose a fee for complying with the request.

(e) This section does not apply to:

(1) the collection, use, or release of a social security number required by state or federal law, including Chapter 552, Government Code;

(2) the use of a social security number for internal verification or administrative purposes;

(3) a document that is recorded or required to be open to the public under Chapter 552, Government Code;

(4) a court record; or

(5) an institution of higher education if the use of a social security number by the institution is regulated by Chapter 51, Education Code, or another provision of the Education Code.

(f) Subsection (a)(5) does not apply to an application or form sent by mail, including a document sent:

(1) as part of an application or enrollment process;

(2) to establish, amend, or terminate an account, contract, or policy; or

(3) to confirm the accuracy of a social security number.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 885 , Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009.