Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Government Operations & Elections Committee

HB 2239

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: Exempting the identity of a caller to an enhanced 911 emergency communications system from the public records act.

Sponsors: Representatives Johnson, S. Hunt, Ross, Chandler, Warnick and Ormsby.

Brief Summary of Bill

Exempts from public disclosure any information that would reveal the identity of a person who made a call to an enhanced 911 emergency communications system.

Hearing Date: 1/28/14

Staff: Amanda Ondrick (786-7296) and Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

The Public Records Act (PRA) requires that all state and local government agencies make all public records available for public inspection and copying unless they fall within certain statutory exemptions. The provisions requiring public records disclosure must be interpreted liberally and the exemptions narrowly in order to effectuate a general policy favoring disclosure.

Certain personal information is exempt from public inspection and copying under the PRA such as:

Currently, information about a person making a 911 call is not exempt from PRA. Each county alone, or in combination with other counties, has an enhanced 911 emergency communication system that uses an immediate display of a caller's identification and location.

Summary of Bill:

The exemptions pertaining to personal information are expanded. Any information that would reveal the identity of a person who made a call to an enhanced 911 emergency communications system is exempt from public inspection and copying.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.