84R9768 CAE-F
 
  By: Romero, Jr. H.B. No. 1630
 
 
 
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 116 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 116. LIMITATION ON SETTLEMENT OF CLAIM OR ACTION AGAINST A
  GOVERNMENTAL UNIT
         Sec. 116.001.  CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON SETTLEMENT BY A
  GOVERNMENTAL UNIT.  (a)  In this chapter, "governmental unit" has
  the meaning assigned by Section 101.001.
         (b)  A state or local governmental unit may not enter into a
  settlement of a claim or action against the governmental unit in
  which:
               (1)  the amount of the settlement is equal to or greater
  than $30,000; and
               (2)  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.
         (c)  A governmental unit may not disclose the personal
  information of a party seeking affirmative relief unless the party
  agrees to the disclosure.
         (d)  A settlement agreement in violation of Subsection
  (b)(2) is void and unenforceable.
         (e)  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, 2015.