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Bill

HB 5528

Relating to protection of personal residential information of certain public officials.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Cannon and 2 co-sponsors

Bill protects residential addresses and personal contact information of specified West Virginia public officials from public records disclosure to enhance personal security.

Approved by Governor 3/27/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 5528

Legislative bill overview

HB 5528 establishes protections for the residential address and personal contact information of certain public officials in West Virginia, restricting public access to these details. The bill appears to create exemptions from public records disclosure requirements for sensitive personal information of designated officeholders and their families.

Why is this important

Public officials' home addresses are sometimes targets for harassment, threats, or physical danger, making privacy protections a legitimate security concern. However, balancing official privacy with government transparency and public accountability is a fundamental tension in democratic governance that affects citizens' ability to contact and monitor their representatives.

Potential points of contention

  • Transparency vs. Security: Restricting access to officials' addresses may improve personal safety but could limit constituents' ability to contact representatives and raises questions about whether public servants should have greater privacy than ordinary citizens
  • Scope and Definition: The bill's specificity about "certain public officials" may create inconsistent protection levels—unclear which offices qualify and whether the definition could be misused to shield unpopular figures from accountability
  • Records Access Precedent: Expanding privacy exemptions from public records laws sets precedent for future restrictions and could gradually erode the transparency frameworks that enable government oversight

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

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