Virginia House Bill HB1390

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/24
• Refer: 1/16/24
• Refer: 1/25/24

Caption

Human Resource Management, Department of; disclosure of certain information.

Impact

The bill directly affects state laws pertaining to privacy and transparency in government operations. By limiting the availability of personal information about state employees, HB1390 aims to enhance their privacy and security. However, this alteration in the law may also lead to debates regarding public access to information and how it may impact the ability of advocacy groups and citizens to engage with state agencies.

Summary

House Bill 1390 amends existing legislation regarding the disclosure of certain information by the Department of Human Resource Management in Virginia. Specifically, it seeks to protect the home addresses of state employees from public disclosure, exempting these from the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Under this bill, the Department is required to adopt regulations for this exemption, ensuring that employees' personal addresses remain confidential unless specified criteria are met.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB1390 concern the balance between privacy rights and the public's right to access information. While supporters of the bill argue it protects state employees from potential harassment or privacy breaches, opponents may raise concerns about the implications for transparency in government and the potential for decreased accountability. Critics may question whether protecting employees' home addresses could hinder public scrutiny or oversight of state functions.