Privacy protections for judicial officers, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)
Impact
The implementation of SB927 would amend existing statutes to provide stringent privacy safeguards specifically tailored for judicial officers. It defines 'personal information' to include addresses, phone numbers, and other sensitive data. Moreover, it establishes rules around how this information can be accessed and shared, constraining data brokers from selling or disclosing such information without explicit consent from the judicial officers or their immediate family members. This act essentially expands the privacy rights of judicial officers, reinforcing their protection against potential threats that may arise due to public disclosures of their personal information.
Summary
Senate Bill 927 focuses on enhancing privacy protections for judicial officers in the state, specifically concerning the handling and disclosure of their personal information. This bill prohibits government agencies from publicly posting any personal details of judicial officers unless a written request is made by the officer to refrain from such disclosures. Upon receiving such a request, agencies are mandated to remove any related information within five business days and ensure that it is not publicly displayed in the future.
Contention
Noteworthy points of contention surrounding SB927 arise primarily related to the balance between privacy and public transparency. Critics of the bill express concerns about the potential for these privacy measures to obscure public access to information that is traditionally available under public records laws. Furthermore, there are discussion points regarding how the bill would affect the nomination process for judicial candidates, as it allows the option for candidates to certify their residence without public disclosure of their home address. This could potentially lead to heightened anonymity for judicial candidates, raising questions about voter transparency and accountability.
Relating to judges and justices; to prohibit government agencies, individuals, businesses, and associations from publicly posting or displaying judge's or justice's personal information on the Internet, provided they have received a written request from the judge or justice to refrain from doing so; to prohibit commercial data collectors from knowingly selling, trading, licensing, transferring, or purchasing judges' personal information; to provide for a process for a judge or justice to request their personal information not be made public; to provide for penalties for violations; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
Relating to judges and justices; to prohibit government agencies, individuals, businesses, and associations from publicly posting or displaying judge's or justice's personal information on the Internet, provided they have received a written request from the judge or justice to refrain from doing so; to prohibit commercial data collectors from knowingly selling, trading, licensing, transferring, or purchasing judges' personal information; to provide for a process for a judge or justice to request their personal information not be made public; to provide for penalties for violations; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.