Panel votes to protect anonymous tip records, require court motion for disclosure

The Senate Public Safety Committee advanced House Bill 2388 after adopting an amendment that narrows procedures for compelled disclosure of anonymous tip materials submitted to programs such as Silent Witness and Crime Stoppers.

Sponsor Representative Dave Marshall told the committee the bill is intended to preserve trust in anonymous tip programs that help law enforcement solve crimes, locate fugitives and recover stolen property. He said the legislation "strengthens that trust by clearly stating that the tips submitted anonymously are not public records" and would prohibit disclosure of identifying information unless required by constitutional, legal or ethical duty.

The committee adopted a two‑page amendment in Senator Payne's name that requires a motion to establish good cause to be filed in the superior court where a complaint has been filed or in the county of the alleged event, and it extended retention requirements by specifying when tip materials must be retained until a year after the last appeal or exhaustion of post‑conviction relief or sentence expiration.

Representatives of Silent Witness told the committee their program is a volunteer board that has paid millions in rewards and aided arrests, and that anonymity is the program's key asset. George Quinniff, a longtime board volunteer, said the amendment "gives another layer of protection so those tipsters can keep their anonymity" while allowing disclosure when the court finds good cause.

After adopting the amendment, the committee voted to give the bill a due‑pass recommendation (reported tally 6 ayes, 1 nay).