A bill that would make confidential the addresses, phone numbers and social security numbers of people who are arrested was delayed one week after lawmakers questioned the sponsor, state Rep. Glen Casada, about the proposal.
Casada, R-Franklin, said that Williamson County officials asked him to bring the bill because people arrested were getting “bombarded” by those who were seeking to contact them after their arrest.
“My county government tells me that a lot of individuals are being contacted and they don’t want to be contacted,” Casada said.
Casada introduced an amendment on the bill that says if the home address of the person arrested is also the place of the reported crime, the address would be open to public inspection. Also, the original bill said that video related to the arrested person would be confidential. The amendment removes mention of video.
Rep. Kelly Keisling, R-Byrdstown, asked if the County Services Association had suggested the change. Rep. Pat Marsh, R-Shelbyville, asked if social security numbers were given out now. Casada replied that “I didn’t know this to be a fact, but I guess they are.”
Marsh said he wanted time to talk to his two county attorneys to make sure they were OK with the proposal, and asked Casada if he would be willing to roll the bill a week. Casada agreed, and the bill is now scheduled to be heard next Wednesday, March 17, before the House Public Service Subcommittee.
It is TCOG’s understanding that the bill seeks to close home addresses because criminal defense attorneys and bail bondsmen are contacting people arrested to tell them about their services, and that the volume of requests to get the address information has been overwhelming to county officials in Williamson County.
