‘Resolve, Directing the Right To Know Advisory Committee To Examine Issues Related to Private Information Contained in the Communications of Public Officials’

‘Sec. 1. Electronic and other communications. Resolved: That the Right To Know Advisory Committee, established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 1, section 411, shall examine issues relating to the protection of private information contained in electronic and other communications that are sent and received by public officials, particularly communications between elected public officials and their constituents. The advisory committee shall consider confidentiality requirements related to Legislators' oversight responsibilities. The advisory committee shall also consider appropriate warnings for public officials to provide with regard to communications that are or may be public records. The advisory committee shall submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters no later than February 15, 2011. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters may report out a bill in 2011 based on the report.’