New Times, Inc. v. Doe

OPINION

Opinion by

Justice WHITTINGTON.

In this accelerated interlocutory appeal, we decide whether appellants may be held hable for damages under the Texas Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Act for reporting that an individual is HIV-positive. See Chapter 81, Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. (Vernon 2001 & Supp.2005). While the confidentiality provisions of the Act serve an important public interest, we conclude they do not extend to the circumstances presented here and, therefore, the trial judge erred in denying appellants’ motion for summary judgment. We reverse the trial court’s…