Committee advances bill to redact sensitive tenant data and require screening disclosures

Representative Joseph, sponsor of House Bill 11‑96, told the committee the bill aims to protect tenants by redacting personal identifying details from eviction court records and to improve transparency in tenant screening and rent reporting. "When people's information is released to the public domain ... [it] can be used by nefarious actors," Joseph said, identifying Social Security numbers, birthdays and bank account details as examples the bill would suppress.

The strike‑below amendment adopted (L17) keeps a four‑part structure: a legislative declaration; a requirement to redact personal identifying information in eviction records; notice obligations for prospective tenants about screening and potential grounds for denial; and a revised approach to rent reporting that changes a prior "shall offer" mandate to a disclosure requirement that landlords must state whether they offer rent‑reporting services and, if so, the terms for that service. Representative English, co‑sponsor, said the change from a mandate to a disclosure responded to stakeholder concerns and placed less burden on providers.

Rep. Froelich moved the amendment and later moved the bill — as amended — to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. During the roll call the committee recorded a 9–4 vote to advance HB 11‑96.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the bill would reduce the risk that sensitive tenant data becomes public and would give renters clear notice about what screening information landlords may use. Opponents did not make extended remarks on the record after the amendment phase.

Next steps: House Bill 11‑96 as amended will be considered by the Committee of the Whole.