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Texas · Through 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025

Tex. Health and Safety Code § 161.0825: USE OF CERTAIN ELECTRONICALLY READABLE INFORMATION.

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Where this section sits in the code
  1. HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
  2. TITLE 2. HEALTH
  3. SUBTITLE H. PUBLIC HEALTH PROVISIONS
  4. CHAPTER 161. PUBLIC HEALTH PROVISIONS
  5. SUBCHAPTER H. DISTRIBUTION OF CIGARETTES, E-CIGARETTES, OR TOBACCO PRODUCTS

(a) In this section, "transaction scan device" means a device capable of deciphering electronically readable information on a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or identification certificate.

(b) A person may access electronically readable information on a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or identification certificate for the purpose of complying with Section 161.082.

(c) Information accessed under this section may not be sold or otherwise disseminated to a third party for any purpose, including any marketing, advertising, or promotional activities. The information may be obtained by court order or on proper request by the comptroller, a law enforcement officer, or a law enforcement agency.

(d) A person who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

(e) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Section 161.082 that:

(1) a transaction scan device identified a license or certificate as valid and the defendant accessed the information and relied on the results in good faith; or

(2) if the defendant is the owner of a store in which cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or tobacco products are sold at retail, the offense under Section 161.082 occurs in connection with a sale by an employee of the owner, and the owner had provided the employee with:

(A) a transaction scan device in working condition; and

(B) adequate training in the use of the transaction scan device.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 391 (S.B. 1465), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 181 (S.B. 97), Sec. 5, eff. October 1, 2015.

Collected 2026-08-27T01:47:17Z. Source file · JSON

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