This bill amends New Jersey's Daniels Law to enhance privacy protections for public officials, including members of the Legislature and municipal court administrators. It requires the Director of the Office of Information Privacy to establish a secure portal that allows individuals to request the nondisclosure of their personal information by private entities. The bill introduces new definitions, such as "covered entity" and "covered information," and expands the definition of "authorized person" to include employers and unions, thereby broadening who can act on behalf of individuals seeking to protect their personal information. Additionally, it mandates that covered entities check the secure portal for approved requests every 45 days and certifies compliance, with civil penalties for non-compliance.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific procedures for the secure portal, including a verification process for requests and the implementation of security measures to protect sensitive information. It establishes penalties for violations of nondisclosure provisions, classifying reckless violations as a crime of the fourth degree and purposeful violations as a crime of the third degree. The legislation also clarifies the responsibilities of custodians of government records in terms of redacting sensitive information and responding to requests, while ensuring that necessary information remains accessible for legitimate governmental functions. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the safety and security of public officials and their families by limiting public access to their personal information.

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