Oklahoma House Bill HB2657

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Information privacy; Oklahoma Privacy Act of 2023; supporting agencies; confidential information; management; effective date; emergency.

Impact

This legislation would significantly impact the management of sensitive information within state agencies. By instituting penalties for unauthorized disclosures, the bill deepens the legal obligations for public employees and contractors regarding data confidentiality. It introduces both civil remedies for affected individuals and criminal penalties for willfully disclosing confidential information, thereby reinforcing the accountability of all personnel involved in handling public records. The act requires that agencies establish and enforce rules to safeguard such information, ensuring a higher compliance standard across the board.

Summary

House Bill 2657, titled the Oklahoma Privacy Act of 2023, aims to establish robust privacy protections for the personally identifiable information of public employees. The bill defines key terms, outlines the responsibilities of supporting agencies, and mandates that these agencies maintain confidentiality standards for handling employment records. It seeks to limit disclosure of confidential information to unauthorized parties and requires written consent from the appropriate appointing authority for any such disclosures.

Contention

Some points of contention may arise from the bill's provisions, particularly regarding its exclusions of the legislative and judicial branches from its requirements. Critics may argue that this creates a dual standard for confidentiality between branches of state government, undermining the comprehensive nature of privacy protections intended by the legislation. Additional debate could occur around the feasibility of strict compliance and the potential burdens placed on state agencies to implement the necessary controls and protocols for safeguarding sensitive information.