This bill amends New Jersey's Daniels Law to enhance protections for public officials, including members of the Legislature and municipal court administrators, by requiring the establishment of a secure portal managed by the Office of Information Privacy (OIP). The portal will allow authorized individuals, such as employers and unions with consent, to submit requests for the redaction or nondisclosure of personal information, specifically home addresses and unpublished phone numbers. The bill introduces new definitions, such as "covered entity" and "covered information," and outlines the responsibilities of public agencies to comply with these requests. It also mandates the implementation of security measures and a verification process for requests, as well as a standardized form for submissions.

Additionally, the bill establishes civil penalties for covered entities that fail to comply with the new procedures, including a $200 penalty for each 45-day period of non-compliance. It emphasizes the importance of protecting the personal information of public officials and their families, thereby enhancing their safety while performing official duties. The legislation also clarifies the roles of authorized persons who can request nondisclosure and outlines exceptions for certain disclosures, ensuring a balance between privacy and transparency in government operations.

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