The bill amends New Jersey's "Daniel's Law" to enhance privacy protections for public officials, including members of the Legislature and municipal court administrators. It requires the Office of Information Privacy (OIP) to create a secure portal that allows individuals to prevent the disclosure of their personal information by private entities. New definitions are introduced, such as "covered entity," which refers to any person or business that discloses a covered person's information online, and "covered information," which includes sensitive details like home addresses and unpublished telephone numbers. The bill also outlines the roles of "authorized persons" who can request redaction or nondisclosure on behalf of covered individuals, expanding the list to include employers and designated agents.

Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for individuals who knowingly disclose a covered person's information with malicious intent, classifying reckless violations as a fourth-degree crime and purposeful violations as a third-degree crime. It clarifies that custodians of government records must redact specific personal information before granting access and sets guidelines for the inspection and copying of records. The legislation aims to bolster the safety and privacy of individuals in sensitive positions while ensuring that public transparency is maintained.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:20-31.1, 47:1A-1.1, 47:1A-5, 47:1B-1, 47:1B-2, 56:8-166.1, 56:8-166.3, 56:8-166.13, 56:8-166.15