An Act To Ensure the Confidentiality of Concealed Weapons Permit Holder Information

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the list of all holders of concealed weapons permits in the State is public, which includes personal information of the permit holders such as name, full current address and date of birth; and

Whereas,  the public dissemination of personal information of concealed weapons permit holders subjects a holder to possible identity theft and puts the holder's and the holder's family's well-being at risk; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. 25 MRSA §2006, 2nd ¶,  as amended by PL 2011, c. 298, §11, is further amended to read:

The issuing authority shall make a permanent record of each permit to carry concealed handguns in a suitable book or file kept for that purpose. The record must include the information contained in the permit itself and must be available for public inspection kept confidential and may not be made available for public inspection or copying. A person who has received confidential information under this section may not redistribute or disseminate the information to a person who is not authorized to receive the information.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill makes personal and identifying information of concealed weapons permit holders confidential and prohibits a person who has received concealed weapons permit holder information from redistributing or disseminating the information to a person who is not authorized to receive the information.