Nonprofit corporations; residential address, allowed to submit a post office box address.
Impact
The impact of HB 2092 is primarily felt in the realm of privacy protection for individuals involved in nonprofit organizations. By enabling these entities to use a post office box, the bill mitigates risks associated with disclosing personal residential addresses. This legislative change is particularly important for nonprofit organizations that operate in sensitive areas, such as domestic violence shelters or advocacy groups that might attract unwanted attention. Such measures aim to enhance participant safety while ensuring that the operational needs of nonprofits are still met.
Summary
House Bill 2092 amends the Code of Virginia to allow nonprofit corporations that have a registered office at a residential address to submit a post office box address instead of their residential address in any official filings. This change is significant as it provides a means for nonprofit organizations to protect the privacy of their members and board members, particularly in situations where disclosing a residential address could pose risks to their safety or personal life. The bill responds to concerns that nonprofit leaders may face harassment or other negative repercussions due to public disclosure of their home addresses.
Contention
The discussion surrounding HB 2092 may include arguments related to transparency and accountability for nonprofit organizations. Proponents of the bill assert that protecting residential addresses does not compromise the integrity and operational legitimacy of nonprofits, while critics might suggest that such measures could lead to difficulties in tracking organizational transparency. The balance between privacy and accountability remains a key point of contention, as legislators weigh the necessity of safeguarding personal information against the need for public access to nonprofit oversight.
Voting_history
The bill was brought forth to the House but ultimately was stricken from the docket by the Committee on Commerce and Energy with a unanimous vote of 22 in favor and none against. This indicates a strong initial support or consensus on the need for discussions surrounding nonprofit privacy but could also reflect competing priorities within the legislative agenda.