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November 27, 2009

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Committee votes for passage of public records bill

Monday, June 2, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

The committee vote followed several months of debate between committee members, law enforcement, government officials and the media over what records should be considered public.

"I hope this is the last motion we will have to make on AB289," said Assemblyman Roy Neighbors, D-Tonopah, who headed a subcommittee on the bill.

In the version of AB289 passed today, records of sexual harassment cases will remain closed whether or not the cases have been finalized.

Although Nevada Press Association director Kent Lauer had argued that the public has a right to know such information about public officials, Clark County affirmative action officer George Cotton said he feared victims would be afraid to come forward with allegations of sexual harassment if they thought those allegations would become public.

But government agencies didn't win all of their battles. Lt. Stan Olsen of Las Vegas Metro police unsuccessfully lobbied for police officers' work phone numbers and dates of employment to be kept private, saying that section could hurt undercover officers.

Arrest reports and information identifying people who have been charged with crimes also remain open, although juvenile victims are specifically protected by AB289.

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