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Bill

SD 1168

An Act relative to domestic violence reports and confidentiality

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Keenan and 2 co-sponsors

Bill restricts public access to domestic violence reports to protect victim safety while maintaining law enforcement and court access to case information.

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Bill Summary · SD 1168

Legislative bill overview

SD 1168 establishes new confidentiality protections for individuals who report domestic violence, limiting public access to police reports and court documents related to such cases. The bill restricts who can view domestic violence reports and requires agencies to implement safeguards preventing disclosure of victim identities and case details to the general public.

Why is this important

Domestic violence survivors often face serious safety risks if their abuser discovers they've reported incidents, including escalated violence or stalking. Restricting public access to these reports protects survivors from retaliation while maintaining necessary access for law enforcement, prosecutors, and other authorized parties who need information to investigate crimes and protect public safety.

Potential points of contention

  • Balancing transparency with safety: Limiting public records access conflicts with open records laws and principles of government transparency; critics may argue the public's right to know is restricted without clear necessity
  • Definition and scope: The bill's specific definitions of who qualifies for protections, which reports are covered, and what constitutes "domestic violence" could be debated as either too broad or too narrow
  • Implementation burden: Law enforcement and courts would need new procedures to redact information and manage access restrictions, creating administrative costs and potential inconsistent application across agencies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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