The California Public Records Act (CPRA) generally requires public records to be open for inspection by the public, subject to certain, but numerous, exceptions. The CPRA prohibits a state or local agency from posting the home address or telephone number of any elected or appointed official on the internet without first obtaining the written permission of that individual.
Assembly Bill 1785 (AB 1785) prohibits a state or local agency from publicly posting the home address, telephone number, or both the name and assessor parcel number associated with the home address of any elected or appointed official on the internet without first obtaining the written permission of that individual. AB 1785 defines “publicly post” as intentionally communicating or otherwise making available the information described on the internet in an unrestricted and publicly available manner.
AB 1785 imposes a limitation on the public’s right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution in order to protect the personal safety and provide for the privacy of public officials and their families.
(AB 1785 amends section 7928.205 of the Government Code.)