Report Title:

Privilege; News Media

 

Description:

Provides a news media privilege to allow reporters to protect their sources of information.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1986

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO NEWS MEDIA PRIVILEGE.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Section 626-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new rule to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "Rule      News media privilege.  No person who is a reporter, former reporter, or editorial employee of any newspaper, periodical, or press association or employee of any radio or television station may be required to disclose any published or unpublished information obtained or prepared by the person in the person's professional capacity in gathering, receiving, or processing information for communication to the public or the source of any information procured or obtained by the person in any legal proceeding, trial, or investigation, before:

     (1)  Any court, grand jury, coroner's inquest, jury, or any officer thereof;

     (2)  The legislature or any committee thereof;

     (3)  Any department, agency, or commission of the State; or

     (4)  Before any county governing body or committee thereof or any officer of a county government."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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