Politics & Government

Legislature Passes Privacy Bill for All Homicides in Response to Newtown

The governor is expected to sign the bill when he returns to the state.

Early Wednesday morning, both the House and Senate approved by large majorities a bill that prevents the release of photos, videos, or digital video images of homicide victims in response to the Newtown tragedy.

The bill, however, applies to all homicide victims after legislators decided that all families — not just those in Newtown — deserved the same treatment. 

Initial versions of the legislation also called for law enforcement agencies to withhold audiotapes of 911 emergency calls, but that was modified. Now only portions of the 911 calls that describe a homicide victim's condition could be withheld.

"My goal with this legislation was to provide some measure of protection for the families affected by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School," Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in a statement. "But the fact is, all families have a right to grieve in private.  Those who lose loved ones to violence have a right to protect themselves against further anguish.

"This is a difficult issue, requiring all of us to balance deeply held beliefs and important public policy values. I commend the legislators on coming to an agreement that respects the privacy of grieving families."

Malloy is traveling out of state but plans to sign the bill when he returns.

Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, also commented: “In light of the internet age, the balance between privacy and freedom of information needs to be re-examined and updated. The interim task force will now be able to thoroughly explore these issues further and help us ensure that the right to privacy is properly balanced with the public’s right to know.” 


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