HB1621
To Amend The Freedom Of Information Act Of 1967; And To Exempt Personal Information Of Elected Constitutional Officers, Judicial Officials, Elected County Officials, Elected Municipal Officials, And Their Immediate Family.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1621 amends the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act of 1967 to exempt specific personal information of elected constitutional officers, judicial officials, county officials, municipal officials, and their immediate family members from being considered public records. The bill defines a comprehensive list of protected data, including home addresses, personal phone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and information identifying schools or daycares attended by family members. It prohibits governmental entities from posting or displaying this specified information on websites, social media, or land record databases. Furthermore, the bill establishes a mechanism for these officials to submit a written request to have such information removed from public-facing governmental records or databases. If a request is made, the governmental entity is mandated to remove the information within three days. The legislation applies to a broad range of officials, including state, county, municipal, and judicial figures, as well as federal judges serving within Arkansas.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are current and former elected constitutional, judicial, county, and municipal officials, as well as their immediate family members. By restricting access to sensitive personal details like home addresses, private contact information, and family employment locations, these individuals gain increased privacy and protections against potential harassment, stalking, or security threats.
Who Might Suffer?
The bill negatively impacts the general public, journalists, and government transparency advocates who utilize the Freedom of Information Act to conduct oversight, investigative reporting, and public research. By removing certain categories of information from the public record, these groups may face increased difficulty in verifying the residency of candidates, investigating potential conflicts of interest, or identifying patterns related to property ownership and official conduct.
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