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Committee approves bill protecting train‑crew personal information after accidents
Summary
Senate Bill 397 would require police reports and communications about railroad fatalities to be maintained and redacted to protect train‑crew private information, making records available only with private information redacted unless requested in writing; the committee passed the bill on a voice vote.
Representative Johnny Wright presented Senate Bill 397, which would require that reports involving railroad fatalities and communications between police and train crews be maintained in a manner that protects the crew members’ private information. The bill directs that public reports have train‑crew private information redacted and that records remain accessible by written request at reasonable times.
Wright emphasized the emotional toll on crew members and the industry’s interest in protecting employees from harassment after traumatic events. Gerald Sales of Smart Transportation, who testified with Wright and identified himself as a conductor with 21 years’ experience, said rail employees “are kind of trapped on there and see everything” and that names published online have led to harassment via social media.
Wright said the industry worked with the press association and railroads to draft the measure and that stakeholders reported no opposition in drafting. Representative Whitaker moved to pass the bill; the committee approved it on a voice vote with no recorded roll‑call tally.
