HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2943

Title:An act relating to invading the privacy of criminal justice workers. 

Brief Description:Protecting the privacy of criminal justice workers. 

Sponsors:Representatives O=Brien, Ballasiotes, Radcliff, Linville, Sheahan, Costa, Lambert, Dickerson, and Gardner. 

House Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections

Hearing Date:February 4, 1998. 

Prepared By:Mark G. Hamilton, Counsel (786-7310). 

Background:Currently, there is no statute directly addressing the privacy of those who work in the criminal justice system.  Likewise, compromising the privacy of criminal justice workers is not specifically outlawed. 

Summary:New Section Created C RCW 9A.46.---.

Crime of Invading Privacy of Criminal Justice Worker.  Creates a new gross misdemeanor.  Invading the privacy of a criminal justice worker occurs when someone publicizes personal information about a current or former criminal justice worker (or the worker=s spouse or child) with whom the person has had contact within the scope of the criminal justice system. 

Definitions. ACriminal Justice Worker.@ ACriminal Justice Worker@ includes (1) state and local law enforcement personnel, (2) correctional and probation officers, (3) Department of Social and Health Services employees whose duties include investigation of criminal activities, (4) Department of Revenue employees (or local government workers) whose duties include revenue collection and enforcement or child support enforcement. 

APersonal Information.@ APersonal information@ includes (but is not specifically limited to) home addresses, telephone numbers, social security numbers, and photographs.  In addition, with regard to the spouses or children of criminal justice workers, personal information includes place of employment.  For children, it also includes name and location of schools and day care facilities attended. 

APublicize.@ APublicize@ means to communicate or disseminate information to another person orally, in writing, or electronically (e.g., by use of a computer network or electronic recording). 

Rules Authority:No. 

Fiscal Note:Not requested. 

Effective Date:Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.