Relating to an exemption from required disclosure of information related to the next of kin of deceased persons, the official text

H.B. No. 4490

AN ACT

relating to an exemption from required disclosure of information

related to the next of kin of deceased persons.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 11, Article 49.25, Code of Criminal

Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) The information relating to the next of kin of a

decedent is excepted from required public disclosure in accordance

with Chapter 552, Government Code, but is subject to disclosure

under subpoena or authority of other law.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a

request for information that is received by a governmental body or

an officer of public information on or after the effective date of

this Act. A request for information that was received before the

effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the

date the request was received, and the former law is continued in

effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 4490 was passed by the House on May 1,

2025, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 1, 1 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 4490 was passed by the Senate on May

22, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor