Bill > S1210

This bill establishes legal protections for the home addresses and unpublished home telephone numbers of active, retired, or formerly active judicial officers, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and their immediate family members living in the same household. The legislation prohibits persons, businesses, or associations from disclosing or re-disclosing such personal information on the internet or through other means once they receive written notice from an authorized person requesting nondisclosure. If such information is published, the aggrieved person can bring a civil action in Superior Court, where the court may award actual damages (with a minimum of $1,000 per violation), punitive damages for willful disregard, reasonable attorney's fees, and other equitable relief. Authorized persons who can request nondisclosure include the covered person themselves, court clerks, designated representatives, or legal guardians. The bill specifically includes protections for immediate family members and provides a detailed definition of terms like "covered person" and "immediate family member." Notably, the bill does not impose liability on news media for information in previously printed newspapers and will not require compliance until one year after its enactment, though organizations may choose to honor redaction requests earlier.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1210