Opinions
Opinion No. KP-0516
Re: Social Security Numbers Required for Occupational Licenses
S U M M A R Y
Family Code subsection 231.302(c)(1) unambiguously requires that occupational licensing authorities request and each applicant provide their social security number. As such, agencies cannot solicit or accept attestations that an applicant does not have a social security number.
Prior reliance on the nonbinding federal guidance in PIQ-99-05 is misplaced, and Attorney General Opinion JC-0409 as well as its progeny are overruled.
Opinion No. KP-0517
The Honorable Phil Sorrells
Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney
401 West Belknap
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
Re: Investigatory obligation following "the death of a prisoner in county jail" under Government Code § 511.021(a) (RQ-0590-KP)
S U M M A R Y
The phrase "death of a prisoner in a county jail" in Government Code subsection 511.021(a) requires appointment of an independent law enforcement agency to investigate a prisoner death that occurred in the county jail itself. However, this does not mean the Commission lacks statutory authority to promulgate a rule requiring independent investigation of prisoner deaths while in custody.
For further information, please access the website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov or call the Opinion Committee at (512) 463-2110.
TRD-202600685
Justin Gordon
General Counsel
Office of the Attorney General
Filed: February 17, 2026