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Committee approves amendment to limit public access to financial details in certain uncontested divorces
Summary
Senators approved an amendment to House Bill 1260 that would preserve public access to divorce records broadly but allow redaction of financial information for uncontested divorces without minor children and where both parties consent. Sponsors said the change aligns with case law and preserves transparency.
Senators considered Amendment 20261173S to House Bill 1260, which narrows confidentiality to only the financial information in an uncontested divorce decree in specified circumstances.
The senator who presented the amendment (identified in committee as Senator Riden) said the change was intended to keep most divorce records public while allowing redaction of sensitive financial information — property valuations, encumbrances and ownership shares — when both parties agree and no minor children are involved. "It provides for confidentiality of only the financial information that's in a divorce decree in keeping with the case law and current law," the sponsor said. The sponsor emphasized that the amendment aims to prevent casual online searches of personal financial detail by distant parties.
There was limited discussion and no public opposition during the session; senators approved the amendment by voice vote and moved the bill as amended to the consent calendar with the option for members to remove items for separate consideration.
