H.B. 511 Crime Victim Identification Amendments (Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman)
This bill seeks to restrict the release of names of minor victims of homicide, which would unnecessarily complicate information management for police and the public in an already painful and confusing situation. The Government Records Access and Management Act, or GRAMA, provides multiple exceptions that protect the names of minor victims, including homicide victims, for the protection of life and safety, privacy, and ongoing investigations. Creating a separate exception outside of GRAMA ties the hands of law enforcement, which may have valid public safety reasons to release the name of a homicide victim, and would restrict sharing information in situations where there is a compelling public interest in identifying a minor who has been killed. For creating needless obstacles for both police and the public, HB 511 gets a LIGHTS OUT from GRAMA Watch.