OLR Bill Analysis
AN ACT CONCERNING CONSERVATION LAW ENFORCEMENT
This bill adds Department of Environmental Protection sworn law enforcement officers (conservation officers) to certain employees whose residential addresses are not publicly disclosable by state and local government agencies under the Freedom of Information Act.
The law already covers:
1. federal and state judges, federal magistrates, and state family support magistrates;
2. state and local police officers;
3. Judicial, Department of Correction, and Department of Children and Families employees;
4. past and present state prosecutors or public defenders;
5. Division of Criminal Justice inspectors;
6. firefighters;
7. Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities members and employees; and
8. Parole Board members.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
BACKGROUND
Address Protection for Certain Employees
The Freedom of Information Act prohibits state and local government agencies from disclosing to the public the home addresses of certain specified local, state, and federal employees, with one exception. The prohibition does not apply to personal information, including home addresses, in Department of Motor Vehicles records, which are disclosable to government agencies and anyone else who agrees to use them for limited specified purposes, such as to provide notice to owners of towed, abandoned, or impounded cars; by insurers in connection with a claim; or in connection with any lawful purpose of a labor organization (CGS § 14-10).
To avail themselves of the protection, covered employees need only substitute their business address on any state or local government document that asks for their home address.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Environment Committee
Joint Favorable Change of Reference
Yea |
26 |
Nay |
0 |
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable Report
Yea |
16 |
Nay |
2 |