Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government, Elections & Information Technology Committee |
SSB 5207
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning the public disclosure of global positioning system data corresponding to residential addresses of public employees and volunteers.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Senators Kuderer, Miloscia, Frockt, Zeiger, Hobbs, Keiser, Chase and Hunt; by request of Department of Enterprise Services).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 3/14/17
Staff: Sean Flynn (786-7124).
Background:
The Public Records Act (PRA) requires state and local agencies to make their written records available to the public for inspection and copying upon request, unless the information fits into one of the various specific exemptions in the PRA or otherwise provided in law. The stated policy of the PRA favors disclosure and requires narrow application of the listed exemptions.
Public Employee Records. There are several exemptions related to the personal information ofpublic workers. One category exempts private information of public employees, appointees, and elected officials to the extent that disclosure would be highly offensive to a reasonable person and is not of legitimate public concern.
Another exemption category protects certain personal information in public employee personnel records from disclosure. Such information includes, residential and email addresses, telephone numbers, social security and driver's license numbers, and emergency contact information.
Other exemptions protect the personal information of certain groups of public workers and other individuals. For example, global positioning system (GPS) data is exempt from disclosure to the extent it could reveal the residence of a criminal justice agency employee.
Summary of Bill:
Global positioning system data from a device used by a public employee or volunteer is exempt from disclosure to the extent it would indicate the residence of the public employee or volunteer.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.