The House Education Committee this morning approved on a voice vote another bill to close off information from the public.
It’s a bill by Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R-Branch) to exempt emergency or security records of any school — K through university — from disclosure under the state’s public records law. The bill does more than protect security plans from would-be FOI-wielding terrorists.
Also exempt:
Records or other information relating to the number of licensed security officers, school resource officers, or other security personnel, as well as any personal information about those individuals.
Got that? Secret police forces — including identity and background. Feel safer?
Rep. John Walker said the bill could be used to withhold the name of an “offender” in the name of security. Rep. Robin Lundstrum, defending the bill, said it was vital to protect identities of officers. “What about his right to be protected and for his home to be protected,” she asked.
By that reasoning, I presume secret city police and sheriff’s offices should be next.