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HB 2123

religious leader; personal information; confidentiality

57th Legislature - First Regular Session Introduced by Leo Biasiucci and 3 co-sponsors

HB 2123 shields religious leaders' personal information from public disclosure to protect their privacy and safety from potential harassment or threats.

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Bill Summary · HB 2123

Legislative bill overview

HB 2123 establishes confidentiality protections for personal information of religious leaders in Arizona. The bill creates legal safeguards to prevent disclosure of identifying details about clergy and other religious officials, likely in response to privacy and safety concerns within faith communities.

Why is this important

Religious leaders sometimes face harassment, threats, or unwanted contact based on their role or beliefs. This legislation attempts to balance public access to information with the safety and privacy needs of individuals in religious positions. The law could affect how government agencies, organizations, and institutions handle records containing religious leaders' personal data.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and definition ambiguity: The bill's definition of "religious leader" may be unclear—does it include all ordained clergy, volunteers, or only certain recognized positions? Overly broad definitions could shield individuals from legitimate public scrutiny.
  • Tension with public records access: Privacy protections may conflict with government transparency principles and public records laws, potentially limiting accountability or access to information citizens have a right to know.
  • Practical enforcement challenges: Determining when information qualifies for protection and implementing confidentiality across multiple agencies and private entities could prove administratively complex and inconsistently applied.

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

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