This is probably part of the problem in GA and PA, even if the records are in the 1700s....Char ----- Original Message ----- From: Frosty Landon Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2001 12:35 PM To: FOI-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU Subject: georgia gov.: excise personal information! see below for important "identity theft" legislation to watch, from Georgia . . . (if you have not yet seen the issue in your state, you WILL -- and the Georgia proposal raises most or all of the tough access issues that are up for debate almost everywhere over the growing concerns, real or imagined, that the Internet makes public records "too public." (in Virginia, a special study commission is expected to wrestle in the next 9 months with these same issues as they relate to e-filings in state courts; a similar study already is under way in the federal courts. (a few of the issues: what information is in the "sensitive-personal" category? once defined, should there be "opt in or opt out" rules for excising it? with paper records fading fast (and with technology making it easy to scan and upload, must there be uniform rules for paper and electronic information -- even if it means no access to some data? and should there be special carveouts for journalists -- approved by courts? -- to preserve some access, even though the public and many journalists oppose journalistic privilege? (we'll be talking about all of these issues at NFOIC's annual conference in Newport Beach, CA, in late May. Join us!) frosty Gov. Barnes backs bill to limit release of personal information in state files As a lawyer and legislator, Georgia's Gov. Roy Barnes earned a reputation as a defender of open government. But Wednesday he said too much openness with Social Security numbers and personal information in state records invites identity fraud. Barnes' floor leaders are expected to introduce legislation today removing Social Security numbers, bank account information, insurance and medical information, and references to a mother's maiden name from state records before they're released. Barnes acknowledged his proposal in some cases might mean "a little more work" for reporters, but said it doesn't compromise his open records advocacy. Defenders of public access, however, say it could have a chilling effect on access to important information. "A law intended to protect against identity theft can be stretched to keep the public from knowing about bus drivers with drunk driving records or child care workers with convictions for sexual offenses," said Hollie Manheimer, executive director of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation. The attorney for the Georgia Press Association said there are legitimate reasons for news organizations to obtain personal information to verify investigative reports, as the AJC did in 1999 to show that nearly 3,000 school employees had criminal records. GPA attorney David Hudson proposes allowing the information to be released to media organizations under court order, with safeguards. http://www.accessatlanta.com/partners/ajc/epaper/editions/today/local_news_a3b8786f3528e16f006b.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2001 Legislative round-up http://www.opengovva.org/legislative/legislature2001bills.htm +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Visit our new website: http://www.OpenGovVa.org +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Virginia's new FOI Advisory Council: http://dls.state.va.us/foiacouncil.htm Virginia's FOI Act (includes July 1, 2000 changes) http://opengovva.org/foia_acts/foia2000.htm An online archive of FOI opinions http://opengovva.org/opinions/opinions.htm +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Frosty Landon, executive director Virginia Coalition for Open Government Box 3094, Roanoke 24015 Voice 540.353.8264; Fax 540.774.0544 Subscribe to our free vcog-foi-alert list: vcog-foi-alert-subscribe@egroups.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p>