H.3018 – Removing Information from Websites about Non-elected Officials

At first glance, H.3018 appears to protect non-elected state employees from privacy infringement. However, upon closer examination, it is yet one more way for the government to be less transparent. Non-elected officials may request to remove their home address, birthday, and phone number from public websites maintained by agencies and political subdivisions. These officials are defined to include members and employees of the federal or state judiciaries, administrative law court, law enforcement officers, any person working for Department of Corrections, Department of Social Services, among others, solicitors, and public defenders. While some information, such as home addresses, may not need to be public – there should be a way for citizens to contact government officials – elected or not. This bill removes an avenue for citizens to reach government officials and therefore removes one way to hold government officials accountable.