§ 98.007.Confidential Identity in Certain Actions

An identity protection provision, added in 2021, in the same terms as the one for minors in sexual assault cases.

"Confidential identity" means the use of a pseudonym and the absence of any other identifying information, including address, telephone number, and social security number. Both halves are required.

The court has four duties, and the first is unusual. It shall make it known to the claimant as early as possible that a confidential identity may be used — the court raises it rather than waiting to be asked.

The court must also allow the confidential identity in all petitions, filings, and other documents, use it in all proceedings and records including on appeal, and maintain the records so as to protect confidentiality.

Only four categories may know the true identity: the judge, a party, the attorney representing a party, and a person authorized by written court order specific to that person.

The prohibition is enforced by contempt. The court shall order that no one entitled to know may divulge the information without a written order, and shall hold a violator in contempt.

Subsection (f) keeps it optional: a claimant is not required to use a confidential identity.

The protection matters here for a specific reason. Trafficking victims may still be at risk from the people they are suing, and a public petition naming them supplies an address and a location.