Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Government Operations & Elections Committee |
HB 2376
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 agency employee driver's license numbers, identicard numbers, and identification numbers from public inspection and copying.
Sponsors: Representatives Hayes, S. Hunt, Haler, Appleton, Zeiger, Farrell, Reykdal, MacEwen, Sawyer, Holy, Harris, Ross, Roberts, Springer, Wylie, Ryu, Morrell, Parker and Freeman.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/24/14
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 employment and licensing information contained in the files of an agency is exempt from public inspection and copying under the PRA such as:
examination data used to administer a license, employment, or academic examination;
all applications for public employment including names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to the applicant; and
certain personal information of employees or volunteers of a public agency such as residential addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, social security numbers, and emergency contact information.
Summary of Bill:
The exemption pertaining to employment and licensing information contained in the files of an agency is expanded. The PRA is amended to exempt driver’s license numbers, identicard numbers, and employee identification numbers from public inspection and copying.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.