SB 488

This bill creates a program, administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ)

that keeps the addresses of victims of certain crimes confidential. Under the bill, a

person who is a victim, or a parent or guardian of a person who is a victim, of certain

acts of abuse, stalking, or human trafficking, or who is in fear for his or her physical

safety or that of his or her child or ward, or who resides with any of those persons may

participate in the program.

Under the bill, a person who participates in the program submits his or her

actual address to DOJ and receives from DOJ an assigned address that the person

may use for all personal and official purposes. The bill requires DOJ to forward mail

and certain packages it receives at the assigned address to the person at his or her

actual address. A person may renew his or her participation in the program every

five years, and DOJ may discontinue the person's participation if he or she fails to

notify DOJ that his or her address or legal name has changed.

The bill requires DOJ to keep the person's actual address confidential, except

pursuant to a court order or except from a law enforcement officer if the person is

suspected of criminal activity. The bill also requires the person's actual address to

be kept confidential by municipal and other local governmental clerks and election

officials as long as the person is participating in the program. Under the bill, no one

may refuse to use the assigned address or require the person to disclose his or her

actual address without specific statutory authority to do so.