Bill > H762

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 "covered persons" as employees, agents, or independent contractors of news media who are engaged in bona fide news gathering, and "news media" as various entities that regularly gather and disseminate news or information to the public. 2. It prohibits state entities from compelling covered persons to disclose the source of any news or information they obtained while providing services for the news media, or any unpublished news or information they obtained during this process. 3. The bill establishes exceptions where a state entity may compel disclosure of a source if it is necessary to prevent imminent and actual harm to public safety and the harm clearly outweighs the public interest in protecting the free flow of information. 4. The bill also allows a court to compel disclosure of unpublished news or information if it is critical and necessary to resolve a significant legal issue, cannot be obtained by alternative means, and there is an overriding public interest in the disclosure. Overall, the bill aims to protect the confidentiality of news sources and unpublished information gathered by journalists, while providing limited exceptions to accommodate important public interests.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H762