The bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia to extend the protection of personal information to elected officials, in addition to existing protections for judicial officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers. This legislation, referred to as "Daniels Law," emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the home addresses and unpublished personal telephone numbers of these public officials and their immediate family members to enhance their safety and security while performing their official duties. The bill includes provisions that prohibit the disclosure of such personal information without written consent and establishes civil actions for violations, allowing affected individuals to seek damages and legal relief.

Key changes in the bill include the insertion of the term "elected officials" into the definitions and protections outlined in the existing law, thereby broadening the scope of individuals covered under these privacy protections. Additionally, the bill removes specific references to the justice system, reinforcing that the protections apply to all elected officials, regardless of their specific roles. The legislation also introduces penalties for individuals or entities that fail to comply with requests to remove disclosed information, including potential misdemeanor charges for willful non-compliance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5A-8-24