HB 1345 Summary

• Protects identifying information (address, telephone number, place of employment) of crime victims and witnesses from compelled disclosure at pretrial proceedings or trial without consent, unless good cause is shown.

• Requires child victims or witnesses of crimes to be designated as "Jane Doe" or "Joe Doe" in public records to prevent trauma from publicity, with exceptions for traffic offenses and fire victims.

• Allows public entities to charge up to $25 per hour (excluding the first hour) for locating records and up to $25 per hour (excluding the first hour) for redacting confidential material from electronically stored records.

• Permits public entities to refuse record inspection or copying if repeated requests disrupt essential functions, requiring written explanation and allowing requester to seek attorney general's opinion on the refusal.

• Expands exemptions for settlement agreements, internal investigations of employee misconduct (up to 75 days), and attorney work product in open meetings law, and allows individuals to use personal devices to copy records under reasonable integrity protections.