Committee hears testimony on H.342 to let public-facing officials opt out of data-broker listings

A state legislative committee on April 23 heard testimony on H.342, a bill that would let certain public-facing state employees and their immediate family members instruct data brokers not to disclose their personal information and create enforcement paths if brokers fail to comply.

The bill would give covered individuals a statutory right to notify a data broker and require the broker to stop disclosure; if a broker fails to act within 15 days the bill provides a private right of action. Assistant Attorney General Sarah Aceres, of the Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Unit, told the committee the office also would have authority to adopt implementing rules and monitor for statewide trends that could lead to enforcement on behalf of the state.

“A private right of action is in the bill,” Aceres said, adding that the Attorney General’s Office brings enforcement actions only on behalf of the state and not on behalf of individual consumers. “We do not bring them on behalf of individuals. We really do have to see a trend where there are lots of Vermonters affected by a certain bad actor in order for us to bring enforcement actions.”

Why it matters: proponents said the bill is aimed at reducing targeted threats against judges, law enforcement and other public servants by removing easily accessible contact…