State privacy bill gets initial boost By Lisa C. Berman Associated Press Writer A bill establishing rules on what in- formation about individuals may be gathered and disseminated by govern- ment agencies was recommended to the Legislature Friday. The bill would apply to all govern- mental agencies in Wisconsin, includ- ing local governments, the state and school boards. It is aimed at avoiding the abuse of information by the government, but does not cover personal data gathered by private organizations such as banks, physicians, attorneys or credit agencies. In endorsing the measure, the Legis- lative Council's Special Committee on the Privacy of Personal Records noted citizens can be hurt by the extensive and sophisticated collection of personal information by governmental agencies. "In order to preserve the rights guaranteed individuals in a free society, legislation is necessary to establish procedures to regulate governmental practices regarding personal informa- tion," the bill draft says. Because it is permitted under an ex- isting law, the State Division of Motor Vehicles could continue to sell lists of licensed drivers and auto owners regardless of the fate of the proposed bill. The bill would require all govern- mental agencies except certain local governments and school districts with enrolments under 1,500 to file biennial reports on the types of records they keep and what sort of information can be found in them. Agencies would be limited to collect- ing information that is relevant and necessary to their business. Individuals asked for information would have to be told whether submit- ting the information is mandatory or voluntary, where it will be stored, who will be able to see it and what penalty would be levied for refusing to provide the information. Law enforcement agencies would not have to tell a person thought to have committed a crime of information being gathered about him until after legal action was taken and punishment imposed. In addition, the bill would require that information be safely stored and that corrections be made promptly, and forwarded to all who obtained the original records. Individuals would have the right to see any information gathered about them and would have the right to be told who has seen the records and what uses have been made of them. They may challenge information they feel is inaccurate. The records could be released only to recipients listed in an agency's reports, to doctors, attorneys and others could have a legitimate use for it in an emer- gency and to researchers and reporters who promise to keep individual identi- ties confidential. The bill, which goes to the Legislative Council for action, calls for both civil and criminal penalties for those who misuse records subject to the regula- tions. The maximum penalty would be a $500 fine and one year in jail. --- State privacy bill gets initial boost By Lisa C. Berman Associated Press Writer 18/77 A bill establishing rules on what in- formation about individuals may be gathered and disseminated by govern- ment agencies was recommended to the Legislature Friday. The bill would apply to all govern- mental agencies in Wisconsin, includ- ing local governments, the state and school boards. It is aimed at avoiding the abuse of information by the government, but does not cover personal data gathered by private organizations such as banks, physicians, attorneys or credit agencies. In endorsing the measure, the Legis- lative Council's Special Committee on the Privacy of Personal Records noted citizens can be hurt by the extensive and sophisticated collection of personal information by governmental agencies. "In order to preserve the rights guaranteed individuals in a free society, legislation is necessary to establish procedures to regulate governmental practices regarding personal informa- tion," the bill draft says. Because it is permitted under an ex- isting law, the State Division of Motor Vehicles could continue to sell lists of licensed drivers and auto owners regardless of the fate of the proposed bill. The bill would require all govern- mental agencies except certain local governments and school districts with enrolments under 1,500 to file biennial reports on the types of records they keep and what sort of information can be found in them. Agencies would be limited to collect- ing information that is relevant and necessary to their business. Individuals asked for information would have to be told whether submit- ting the information is mandatory or voluntary, where it will be stored, who will be able to see it and what penalty would be levied for refusing to provide the information. Law enforcement agencies would not have to tell a person thought to have committed a crime of information being gathered about him until after legal action was taken and punishment imposed. In addition, the bill would require that information be safely stored and that corrections be made promptly, and forwarded to all who obtained the original records. Individuals would have the right to see any information gathered about them and would have the right to be told who has seen the records and what uses have been made of them. They may challenge information they feel is inaccurate. The records could be released only to recipients listed in an agency's reports, to doctors, attorneys and others could have a legitimate use for it in an emer- gency and to researchers and reporters who promise to keep individual identi- ties confidential. The bill, which goes to the Legislative Council for action, calls for both civil and criminal penalties for those who misuse records subject to the regula- tions. The maximum penalty would be a $500 fine and one year in jail. ---