Last-minute DOB privacy legislation, Part II
We just got word tonight that Rep. Randy Terrill has filed new legislation that will close off the dates of birth of all public employees in Oklahoma. This is despite the fact that the state makes millions selling the same information for registered voters, licensed drivers and college students.
Sensing that a standalone bill like the changes to HB 3382 made last week was unlikely to survive scrutiny by his fellow House members, it now looks like Terrill, R-Moore, has put the language into a so-called omnibus bill dealing with the state Department of Corrections.
The lengthy conference committee substitute for HB 3379 was filed this evening with the following provision:
D. Public bodies The Department of Corrections shall keep confidential the home address, telephone numbers and, social security numbers, employee identification number and birth date of any person employed or formerly employed by the public body.
The next section then takes the exemption for DOC employees and makes it applicable to all public bodies. It also renders moot a pending Open Records Act request by The Oklahoman for the birth dates of public employees by making the bill retroactive:
E. The provisions of subsection D of this section shall be applicable to all public bodies and to any request made pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Open Records Act prior to the effective date of this act for which a public body has not provided a response as of the effective date of this act.
It’s my understanding that new legislation has to sit on the House calendar for at least 24 hours before being considered by the House. That means this bill could come up for a vote as early as Wednesday evening.
For previous blog coverage of this issue, check out the following posts:
- Oklahoma brings in millions by selling personal data
- Special mailing list deal for Oklahoma Public Employees Association
- “Privacy pirates” and the politics of fear
- DOB bill compromise attacks spirit of Open Records Act
- Public employee date of birth bill resurrected
–Paul
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Comments
Thanks for your comment, Sallie.
If it’s so trivial, then why should it be closed off in the Open Records Act? Why are certain lawmakers so worried about that when the state sells the same information (and more) from voter registration records, driving records, etc.?
Here are a few links to something recent on a politician if you’re interested:
http://newsok.com/article/3449649
Paul
Why does the Oklahoman have such a problem with DOB’s? It ain’t natural for you (DO) to be so worried about something so trivial to most Oklahoman’s.
It is like pulling teeth to get you to report on the corruptness of our politicians and it appears you would rather report on a secretary or subordinate for wrongdoing. We know taxpayers pay the help their salary but I would rather you (DO) spend your money and personnel on investigating our lawbreaking elected officials. Now that would be news.