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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB523

Regular Session

Relating to the issuance of a driver's license to certain persons that includes an alternative to the license holder's residence address.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB523: Government Affairs Overview

Senate Bill 523 mandates that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) allow parole and probation officers to use their employment (office) address on driver’s licenses rather than their residence address. This legislation creates a new category of protected private information for employees in the corrections and rehabilitation sector, requiring HR departments to adjust identity verification protocols and data management systems to accommodate commercial addresses on government-issued IDs.

Sen. Judith Zaffirini·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Business Impact

Who SB523 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: low

Standard regulatory changes (effective 2025-09-01). Review during normal business planning.

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Transportation

Affected business types:

  • Trucking companies
  • Towing operators
  • Fleet operators
  • Logistics providers
View all transportation legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Fleet Management: Notify fleet insurance carriers that Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) for these employees will reflect a commercial address.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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SB523
Low
Relating to the issuance of a driver's license to certain persons that includes an alternative to the license holder's residence address.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
DPS
Primary Author: Sen. Judith Zaffirini
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (HR systems must be ready to process these licenses for I-9 and background checks).
  • Agency Rulemaking: DPS is expected to update the *Application for Driver License or Identification Card* (Form DL-14A) and internal verification procedures by August 2025. Watch for administrative guidance on the definition of "law enforcement professional" regarding private contractors.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Audit Personnel Files: Identify all employees classified as parole or probation officers who qualify for this privacy protection.
  • Draft Verification Templates: Prepare the "Proof of Office Location" letter template by July 1, 2025.
  • Update HR Policies: Revise data privacy policies to explicitly protect the "Physical Residence" field for these employees, as the state has legally recognized their safety risk.
  • Configure Payroll Systems: Ensure W-2s and benefits packets are not automatically mailed to the address on the DL (the office), but rather to the private residence on file.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Government Vendors: If your organization contracts with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) or County Community Supervision and Corrections Departments (CSCD), review Master Service Agreements (MSAs). Agencies may amend contracts to require vendors to provide necessary employment verification documentation to eligible staff.

Hiring/Training

  • Identity Verification: Train HR and Talent Acquisition teams that a commercial address on a Driver’s License for a parole/probation officer is a valid legal status, not a discrepancy or fraud indicator.
  • Fleet Management: Notify fleet insurance carriers that Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) for these employees will reflect a commercial address.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Employment Verification: You must create a standard "Verification of Employment for DPS Privacy Designation" letter. This document must certify the employee’s role and the specific physical address of their assigned office.
  • HRIS Data Segregation: Update Human Resources Information Systems to distinguish between "Mailing/DL Address" (Office) and "Physical Residence" (Home). You must retain the physical residence address for tax jurisdiction and benefits administration, even if the DL shows the office address.
  • Change of Status: If an employee transfers offices, you must notify them of their statutory obligation to update their DL with DPS within 30 days.

Fees & Costs

  • Direct Costs: None.
  • Indirect Costs: Minimal administrative time required to draft and issue employment verification letters.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Definition of "Probation Officer": The bill defines a probation officer as a "law enforcement professional that supervises individuals placed on probation." It is currently unclear if this strictly requires Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) certification or if it extends to civilian case managers employed by private rehabilitation vendors.
  • Verification Standards: The statute does not specify the burden of proof required by DPS to verify the office address. Until rules are published, assume the burden lies with the employer to provide signed, formal documentation on company letterhead.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Dec 3, 2024
Passed Senate
Mar 13, 2025
Passed House
May 21, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsCorrectionsCorrections--parole, Probation & PardonsProtection of Personal InformationVehicles & TrafficVehicles & Traffic--driver's Licenses
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDemocrat · Primary Author
Coauthors (1)

House Sponsors

Rep. Cole HefnerRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

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More from Sen. Judith Zaffirini

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Related by Topic

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB523

Q

What does Texas SB523 do?

Senate Bill 523 mandates that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) allow parole and probation officers to use their employment (office) address on driver’s licenses rather than their residence address. This legislation creates a new category of protected private information for employees in the corrections and rehabilitation sector, requiring HR departments to adjust identity verification protocols and data management systems to accommodate commercial addresses on government-issued IDs.

Q

Who authored SB523?

SB523 was authored by Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB523 signed into law?

SB523 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB523?

SB523 is enforced by Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Q

How significant are the changes in SB523?

The regulatory priority for SB523 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB523?

The cost impact of SB523 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB523 address?

SB523 addresses topics including corrections, corrections--parole, probation & pardons, protection of personal information, vehicles & traffic and vehicles & traffic--driver's licenses.

Q

What are the key dates for SB523?

Key dates for SB523: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026