Bill > SB0209

This bill amends Tennessee's public records law to provide enhanced privacy protections for certain government officials and personnel by allowing them to request confidentiality of specific personal information. The bill covers active and former sworn law enforcement officers, correctional officers, child protective services investigators, revenue collection personnel, court staff (including judges and commissioners), district attorneys, and public defenders. Upon written request, government agencies must keep confidential the individual's home address, telephone number, social security number, date of birth, and official photographs. While these records would typically be considered public, this bill allows these professionals to protect their personal information from public disclosure. The bill includes important exceptions that permit release of the confidential information through court orders, subpoenas, or during active law enforcement investigations. Additionally, the legislation requires that when possible, confidential information should be redacted from public records, and the confidentiality provision cannot be used to completely deny access to otherwise public documents. Local governments are also authorized to designate an individual or agency responsible for processing these confidentiality requests. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law, with the rationale that it serves the public welfare by protecting the privacy of government employees who may be at risk due to the nature of their work.