Enacts provisions relating to confidentiality of residential addresses of law enforcement officers and judges
Impact
This bill amends existing laws to create a system by which eligible persons may file an affidavit to request that their information be shielded from public access. Upon review and approval by a presiding judge, a court order will be issued to support the shielding of the specified documents. The provisions in this act would require county recorders to comply with shielding requests, which could lead to changes in how local government offices manage and maintain public records, ensuring better protection of sensitive personal information.
Summary
House Bill 2196, dubbed the Missouri Shield Act, seeks to enhance the confidentiality of residential addresses for eligible persons, specifically law enforcement officers and judges. The bill allows these individuals to request that their residential address and telephone number be shielded from public access on county documents. This is a significant change in how personal information is protected, aiming to provide additional safety measures for those in potentially vulnerable positions due to their occupations.
Contention
While the bill has garnered support for its intent to protect the personal safety of law enforcement and judicial figures, there are concerns regarding transparency and the implications for public records availability. Critics may argue that shielding residential information could make it challenging for the public to access necessary records, thus raising questions about the balance between privacy and public interest. The act also stipulates that any such shielding is limited to a five-year period, after which a new request must be submitted, which could be a point of contention regarding ongoing access and oversight.