The proposed bill would update current statutes by adding "religious leader" to the list of eligible persons who can petition the superior court to restrict public access to their personal records. This would allow religious leaders to request that the county recorder, county assessor, county treasurer, and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) prohibit public access to their information. Additionally, the bill mandates that these entities must notify religious leaders of the expiration date of such orders six months in advance, thereby enhancing their protection and ensuring they are informed of any changes to their records' status. Moreover, the bill defines "religious leader" and includes provisions that prohibit the dissemination of their personal information if it poses an imminent threat to their safety or that of their family. It clarifies that state or local government entities are not required to disclose the personal information of religious leaders and establishes penalties for those who knowingly release such information with malicious intent. Overall, these updates aim to strengthen the confidentiality protections for religious leaders, aligning their status with other eligible persons currently protected under the law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 11-483, 11-484, 13-2401, 16-153, 28-454, 39-123, 39-124, 41-163, 16-407, 13-105, 28-1553, 13-3602, 12-1809, 1-215, 28-447, 28-455