House Bill No. [insert number] amends R.S. 44:11 and 32(D) to enhance the confidentiality of public employees' personnel records while balancing the public's right to access certain information. The bill emphasizes that a public employee's reasonable expectation of privacy regarding their personnel records is limited by the public's interest in transparency. It establishes that personnel records are public records subject to disclosure, with specific exceptions for confidential information, including home addresses, home telephone numbers, financial institution details, and opinions in evaluation reports. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions to protect information that could put employees at risk of harm and ensures compliance with federal confidentiality requirements.

The bill also modifies the process for record requests, requiring custodians to provide written notification of their determination regarding the public status of a record within five days. If a record is deemed exempt, the custodian is prohibited from citing solely a court decision as the basis for the exemption. This legislative change aims to clarify the expectations surrounding personnel records and enhance the protection of sensitive information while ensuring that the public retains access to relevant records.

Statutes affected:
HB116 Original:
HB116 Engrossed: 44:32(D)
HB116 Enrolled: 44:32(D)