(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that a person attempting to escape from actual or threatened domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking frequently moves to a new address in order to prevent an assailant or potential assailant from finding him or her. This new address, however, is only useful if an assailant or potential assailant does not discover it. Therefore, in order to help victims of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, it is the intent of the general assembly to establish an address confidentiality program, whereby the confidentiality of a victim's address may be maintained through, among other things, the use of a substitute address for purposes of public records and confidential mail forwarding.
The general assembly further finds and declares that the desired result of the "Address Confidentiality Program Act" for the purpose of post-enactment review is to establish a substitute address for a program participant that is used by state and local government agencies whenever possible; to permit agencies to have access to the participant's actual address when appropriate; to establish a mail forwarding system for program participants; and to ensure that there is adequate funding to pay the program costs for all persons who apply to the program.
The general assembly further declares that private entities, including but not limitedto private businesses, can help protect program participants by seeking to prevent the disclosure of unique identifying information that could jeopardize the safety of program participants. The general assembly recognizes that a legitimate need for private entities to request and have access to an individual's actual address often exists and that the opportunity exists for private entities to partner with state and local governmental agencies in the effort to protect the safety of program participants.
Source: L. 2011: Entire part added with relocations, (HB 11-1080), ch. 256, p. 1108, § 2, effective June 2. L. 2015: (3) added, (HB 15-1174), ch. 42, p. 104, § 2, effective March 20.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 24-21-202 as it existed prior to 2011.