WA bill to protect students would also exempt some gov employee info from disclosure

(The Center Square) – A Washington state bill would exempt certain public employee and student information from disclosure under state open records laws, a move proponents argue is necessary to protect individuals’ privacy but critics say could damage transparency.

Washington state administers a Healthy Youth Survey every two years to students in sixth through twelfth grade, which asks questions regarding matter such as substance use, food consumption, physical activity and mental health.

Senate Bill 6049 sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Auburn, at the request of the state Office Financial Management would make those surveys exempt from public disclosure.

While the responses to the Health Youth Survey are anonymous, Wilson told the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at the bill’s Jan. 30 public hearing that it is possible f...