On Thursday, June 23, 2022, 10 a.m., the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee will consider moving S-2871 forward in the legislative process. S-2871, like its identical Assembly companion bill, A-4094, seeks to add the following exemption to to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA).

That portion of any document which discloses the home address, whether a primary or secondary residence, of any person seeking election to a public office or any current or former elected official, as defined in this section.

The bill goes on to define “Elected official” as “any person holding a State or local government office which, under the State Constitution or by law, is filled by the registered voters of a jurisdiction at an election, including a person appointed, selected or otherwise designated to fill a vacancy in such office, but does not mean an official of a political party.”

S-2871 was introduced by Senator James Beach (D-Camden). A-4094 was jointly sponsored by Assembly members Louis D.Greenwald (D-Camden), Carol A. Murphy (D-Camden) and Angela V. McKnight (D-Hudson). A-4094 is cosponsored by Annette Chaparro ((D-Hudson) and Joe Danielsen (D-Middlesex/Somerset).

Any member of the public wishing to testify or submit written testimony on S-2871 should follow the instructions on the Committee’s meeting agenda.

Chairman of the New Jersey Libertarian Party's Open Government Advocacy Project. Please send all comments to [email protected]