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Bill

B 26-0655

Protecting Judicial Privacy Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

DC bill restricts public access to judges' personal information to enhance security, raising concerns about judicial transparency and public oversight of the judiciary.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety with comments from the Committee of the Whole
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Bill Summary · B 26-0655

Legislative bill overview

Bill B 26-0655, the Protecting Judicial Privacy Act of 2026, restricts the public disclosure of certain personal information about District of Columbia judges and their families. The bill aims to enhance safety and privacy protections for members of the judiciary by limiting access to residential addresses, telephone numbers, and similar identifying data that could enable harassment or physical harm.

Why is this important

Judges in high-profile cases increasingly face threats and harassment, making personal security a legitimate concern. However, judicial transparency and public accountability are foundational to democratic oversight of the judiciary. This bill must balance safety concerns against citizens' ability to understand who is deciding cases and whether judges have undisclosed conflicts of interest.

Potential points of contention

  • Transparency vs. security trade-offs: Restricting public records access could limit citizens' ability to research judges' backgrounds, potential conflicts of interest, or patterns of bias that might be relevant to understanding judicial decision-making
  • Scope of protected information: Depending on how broadly "personal information" is defined, the bill could shield details beyond safety concerns (like financial interests or campaign donations) that relate to judicial accountability
  • Consistency with open government principles: The District of Columbia has strong open records laws; this bill may create a privileged class exempt from transparency requirements that apply to other public officials

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

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