Legislative Update

THE HOUSE PASSES NAPO-ENDORSED ACT TO BAN POSTING OF
POLICE OFFICER INFORMATION ON THE WEB

In another victory for NAPO, the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation on July 10, 2007, which protects law enforcement officers, undercover agents, informants and witnesses in a criminal investigation or prosecution from having their personal information posted on the internet.  This bill makes the posting of such personal data with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or harm illegal. 

Recent news reports have shed light on websites devoted to identifying informants, police officers and undercover agents, complete with photos, court documents, employment information and personal addresses.  NAPO believes there is a compelling state interest in ensuring that law enforcement officers are protected on and off the job.  NAPO worked closely on this legislation with Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY), who shares our concern that the posting of such private information about police officers could easily be used to intimidate the officers and perhaps endanger their families.  It is important to prohibit publication of such information about police officers, as well as other law enforcement and justice officials, on the internet or in any public forum. 

Congressman Weiner’s legislation was adopted as part of the Court Security Improvement Act, H.R. 660.  In addition to making it illegal to post the personal information of law enforcement officers on the internet, H.R. 660 would make it illegal to possess dangerous weapons in a federal court facility, increase funding to the Marshals Service for the protection of judges and extend this protection to tax court judges and some retired senior judges. 

The Senate passed its version of the Court Security Improvement Act, S. 378, on May 19, 2007.  Unfortunately, S. 378 does not include language to protect the private information of law enforcement officers from being posted publicly on the web.  NAPO is now focusing its attentions on the conference negotiations between the House and the Senate to ensure that lawmakers recognize the need to include this important legislation in the final bill.