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Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code - CIV PRAC & REM § 30.013. Confidential Identity in Actions Involving Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) In this section:

(1) “Confidential identity” means:

(A) the use of a pseudonym;  and

(B) the absence of any other identifying information, including address, telephone number, and social security number.

(2) “Plaintiff” means:

(A) an individual younger than 18 years of age seeking recovery of damages or other relief;  and

(B) the parents or legal guardian of the individual.

(b) This section applies only to a civil action against a defendant in which a plaintiff seeks recovery of damages or other relief based on conduct described as a felony in the following sections of the Penal Code:

(1) Section 22.011 (sexual assault);  or

(2) Section 22.021 (aggravated sexual assault).

(c) Except as otherwise provided by this section, in an action to which this section applies, the court shall:

(1) make it known to the plaintiff as early as possible in the proceedings of the action that the plaintiff may use a confidential identity in relation to the action;

(2) allow a plaintiff to use a confidential identity in all petitions, filings, and other documents presented to the court;

(3) use the confidential identity in all of the court's proceedings and records relating to the action, including any appellate proceedings;  and

(4) maintain the records relating to the action in a manner that protects the confidentiality of the plaintiff.

(d) In a suit to which this section applies, only the following persons are entitled to know the true identifying information about the plaintiff:

(1) the judge;

(2) a party to the action;

(3) the attorney representing a party to the action;  and

(4) a person authorized by a written order of a court specific to that person.

(e) The court shall order that a person entitled to know the true identifying information under Subsection (d) may not divulge that information to anyone without a written order of the court.  A court shall hold a person who violates the order in contempt.

(f) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 7 (H.B. 16), § 12.10(8), eff. Dec. 4, 2025.

(g) A plaintiff is not required to use a confidential identity as provided by this section.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code - CIV PRAC & REM § 30.013. Confidential Identity in Actions Involving Sexual Abuse of a Minor - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/civil-practice-and-remedies-code/civ-prac-rem-sect-30-013/

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