Louisiana House Bill HSR2

Louisiana 2010 Regular Session

Caption

Requests the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure to study redacting social security numbers from recorded documents

Impact

If enacted, HSR2 would lead to a review of current practices surrounding the handling of social security numbers in public records. This could potentially change many existing statutes regarding the availability of personal identifiers in publicly accessible documents. Lawmakers believe that enhancing privacy measures will be beneficial not just for individuals, but also for public safety by reducing opportunities for identity theft. The request signifies a shift towards greater protection of sensitive information in the context of public documentation.

Summary

House Study Request No. 2 (HSR2) aims to address the growing concerns over identity theft related to the accessibility of social security numbers in recorded documents. The bill requests that the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure conduct a study on the feasibility and implications of redacting social security numbers from such documents, ultimately intending to enhance protections against identity theft. The push for this study stems from a history of past legislation that limited the public disclosure of social security numbers to the last four digits, yet many older documents still contain full numbers, posing a risk.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HSR2 appears supportive, as it reflects a growing awareness and urgency regarding privacy issues in the digital age. Many legislators and advocacy groups have underscored the necessity of protecting citizen data against identity theft. However, there may still be some contention regarding the logistics of implementing these redaction measures, particularly how they would affect access to public records and transparency.

Contention

A notable point of contention could arise regarding the balance between public access to information and the need for privacy. Some opponents might argue that fully redacting social security numbers could lead to complications in legal and administrative processes where identification is necessary. Additionally, there would likely be discussions about the costs and resources needed to implement such changes effectively, as well as potential resistance from those who prioritize complete transparency in public records.