6 days ago
Louisiana lawmakers weigh shielding their personal information from disclosure
The Louisiana Board of Ethics has hired a new ethics administrator on a temporary basis after facing pushback from state lawmakers. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator).
The Louisiana Senate approved last-minute amendments to a bill that would shield the personal information of state lawmakers, statewide elected officials and public service commissioners from being shared with the public.
In its original state, House Bill 681 by Rep. Marcus Bryant, D-New Iberia, would have added retired district attorneys, assistant district attorneys and district attorney investigators to an existing law that shields certain personal information of 'protected individuals' from public disclosure. Existing law currently only lists judges, retired judges, current and retired judicial commissioners and hearing officers as protected individuals.
Bryant's bill passed the Senate as amended on a unanimous vote and has to return to the House for approval of those changes. The bill is scheduled for a final vote Wednesday.
Tacking on the amendments with no opportunity for public input is troubling to government watchdogs.
'While it's reasonable to protect certain sensitive information about elected officials, quietly adding these provisions to a bill about district attorneys and other judicial officers, without public debate, is not the right way to do it,' Steven Procopio, president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, said in an emailed comment. 'Especially when the law threatens violators with jail time'
The law shields home addresses, phone numbers, personal email address, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, federal tax identification numbers, bank account numbers, credit or debit card numbers, license plate numbers, marital records and date of birth.
An official's church, the school or daycare of their child attends and the employment location of their spouse, children or dependents would also be shielded.
The existing law creates a process for protected individuals to have their personal information taken down from public view and allows for them to sue if their request is not followed. Violators can be charged with a misdemeanor and could face jail time.
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