HB 5528
Relating to protection of personal residential information of certain public officials.
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- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to protect the personal residential information, such as home addresses and phone numbers, of certain public officials, including retired judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers, and their immediate family members. It restricts state agencies and local governments from publicly disclosing this information unless specifically permitted, and requires them to redact it from public records upon request. Individuals whose information is improperly disclosed can seek legal remedies.
Key provisions
- Establishes a ‘covered individual’ category including retired judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers, as well as their immediate family.
- Defines ‘personal residential information’ as home addresses, phone numbers, and certain cellular phone numbers.
- Prohibits state agencies and local governments from publicly disclosing covered individuals’ personal residential information except under specific circumstances.
- Permits disclosure for federal law compliance, law enforcement purposes, election requirements, valid subpoenas, and voluntary disclosure by the individual.
- Requires public bodies to redact this information from public-facing records upon request.
- Allows covered individuals to sue for injunctive relief, actual damages, and attorney’s fees if their information is improperly disclosed.
- Clarifies that the bill does not restrict newsgathering or private speech.
Who is affected
- Judges
- Magistrates
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