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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 8, 2013 03:53 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative David S. Hickernell |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Legilsation to Require Redaction of Social Security Numbers before Release of Public Record (Former HB 850, 2011-2012 Legislative Session) |
| As you likely know, under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law, Social Security numbers are exempt from public access. However, while the law provides that agencies are permitted to redact Social Security numbers when they appear on an otherwise accessible record, agencies are not required under the law to redact Social Security numbers. While one could argue in light of the well-known risks of identity theft that common sense would prevail when it comes to redacting Social Security numbers. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. I recently discovered that several mortgage documents containing my Social Security number were on file at the county courthouse and posted online for all to see. After some research, I found that this is a common practice and that the numbers will only be removed upon request. I intend to re-introduce legislation that would amend the Right-to-Know law to require that agencies must redact Social Security numbers from otherwise accessible records before they are released or posted on the Internet. This legislation will also require all agencies to redact any Social Security numbers from records already placed online by the agency within six months. Previous Cosponsors: Hickernell, Metcalfe, Baker, Caltagirone, Carroll, Causer, D. Costa, Cutler, Daley, Davis, Denlinger, Fleck, Gabler, Gillen, Gillespie, Gingrich, Goodman, Grell, Grove, Harkins, Harris, Hennessey, Hess, Killion, Kula, Major, Marshall, Millard, Miller, Milne, Moul, Mundy, M. O'Brien, O'Neill, Pickett, Rapp, Readshaw, Rock, Scavello, Stern, Stevenson, Sturla, Swanger, Taylor, Watson, Farry and Davidson |
Introduced as HB622