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Committee approves measure to keep train crew identities private in fatality reports
Summary
Senate Bill 397 would require police and other record holders to redact private information of train crew members from public railroad fatality reports; sponsors said the change aims to protect crews from harassment on social media.
Representative Johnny Wright (identified in testimony as presenting on behalf of colleagues) told the committee that Senate Bill 397 would protect the confidentiality of train crew members involved in railroad fatalities by requiring that their private information be redacted from public reports. "All reports involving railroad fatalities and all communications between police officers, train crew members involved in these occurrences shall be maintained ... in a manner that ensures the confidentiality of the train crew's private information," Wright said, summarizing the measure.
Gerald Sales, representing "Smart Transportation," said many conductors and engineers will experience at least one crossing fatality in their careers and described instances of post-incident harassment facilitated by social media. Sales said the rail industry worked with press associations and FOIA offices to address concerns and reported no organized opposition. Committee members asked whether similar confidentiality protections exist elsewhere; Sales said he was not aware of parallel protections outside the rail context but emphasized the unique nature of railroad operations and the emotional toll on crews.
Representative Rye closed the presentation and Representative Whitaker moved to pass the bill; the committee approved SB 397 by voice vote. The transcript shows the committee's passage by voice vote; no roll-call tally or text of the final statutory language appears in the record.
