Connecticut House Bill HB05191

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/20
• Refer: 2/19/20

Caption

An Act Concerning The Disclosure Of Information By The Connecticut Airport Authority Under The Freedom Of Information Act, Security Services At Bradley International Airport And A Study Of Structures To Be Erected Proximate To General Aviation Airports.

Impact

If enacted, the bill is set to amend the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act in Connecticut by delineating more clearly what records can be kept confidential under safety considerations. The effectiveness of the changes would be evaluated through an agreement between the Connecticut Airport Authority and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection regarding security service contracts at Bradley International Airport. This could lead to greater scrutiny of airport security practices while also improving operational collaboration between different state agencies involved in airport safety.

Summary

House Bill 05191, titled ‘An Act Concerning the Disclosure of Information by the Connecticut Airport Authority Under the Freedom of Information Act, Security Services at Bradley International Airport, and a Study of Structures to Be Erected Proximate to General Aviation Airports,’ aims to introduce modifications to how information is disclosed regarding security infrastructure at airports. The primary focus of the bill is to allow the Connecticut Airport Authority to restrict access to certain security-related documents if disclosing them could pose safety risks. This initiative is intended to enhance the security protocols surrounding information that could be sensitive in nature, while still maintaining a degree of transparency where feasible.

Contention

Debate around HB05191 is expected to arise, primarily focused on the balance between transparency and security. Proponents of the bill argue that it is critical to safeguard sensitive information that could potentially compromise airport safety, thus supporting robust and secure operations at Bradley International. Conversely, critics may argue that such measures could undercut transparency and accountability, particularly concerning public safety and government function. This dynamic illustrates a broader tension often present in legislation involving security and public access to information.