Bill > H3272

This bill, titled the "Free Flow of Information Act," aims to provide protection against compelled disclosure of certain information by members of the news media. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. It defines a "covered person" as someone who is or has been regularly engaged in bona fide news gathering for a news media entity, and a "news media" as any entity that gathers and disseminates news or information to the public. 2. It prohibits state entities from compelling a covered person to disclose the source of any news or information they obtained while providing services for the news media, or any unpublished news or information they obtained. 3. It allows a state entity to compel disclosure of a source's identity only if it is critical and necessary to prevent imminent harm to public safety, and the harm clearly outweighs the public interest in protecting the free flow of information. 4. It allows a court to compel disclosure of unpublished news or information if it is critical and necessary to resolve a significant legal issue, the information could not reasonably be obtained by alternative means, there is an overriding public interest in the disclosure, and prior negotiations with the covered person or news media have been attempted.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H3272