SB 2067
bill withholding next of kin details from records requests
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to an exemption from required disclosure of information related to the next of kin of deceased persons.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Medical examiner files keep families’ information out of public records.
The bill adds a rule to the medical examiner law saying information about a dead person's next of kin is withheld from public records requests. It touches families of the deceased, medical examiner offices, and anyone filing open-records requests for autopsy or death investigation files. On the ground, next-of-kin names and details stop coming out through public information requests, though a subpoena or another law can still reach them.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB2067 · 2025-03-07
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to an exemption from required disclosure of information related to the next of kin of deceased persons.
WHAT IT DOES
Medical examiner files keep families’ information out of public records.
The bill adds a rule to the medical examiner law saying information about a dead person's next of kin is withheld from public records requests. It touches families of the deceased, medical examiner offices, and anyone filing open-records requests for autopsy or death investigation files. On the ground, next-of-kin names and details stop coming out through public information requests, though a subpoena or another law can still reach them.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Business & Commerce
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Donors report through Friends of Paul Bettencourt.
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 27, 2024 to Jun 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
MoneyMissing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Mar 7, 2025
03/24/2025 S Referred to Business & Commerce
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Business & Commerce · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
HB 4490 by Smithee (identical)
Subjects
Protection of Personal Information
SUBPOENAS
Text
The text as introduced · 225 words
By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2067 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 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.