Emergency management registry bill amended, advanced

Senators gave second-round approval March 20 to a bill intended to facilitate assistance to people with special needs in emergency situations.

LB434, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Scott Price, would allow emergency management and other public agencies to create registries for the purpose of planning assistance for people with special needs before, during and after a disaster or emergency.

Information obtained for such purposes would not be considered a public record and participation would be voluntary.

Price offered an amendment, adopted 39-0, which he said was in response to concerns raised during general file debate.

The amendment would:
• specify that a registry would include individuals with functional needs;
• clarify that registry information may be shared only with agencies that have a legitimate and specific interest in the information; and
• provide for a Class III misdemeanor charge for improper release of registry information.

Following adoption of an additional technical amendment, the bill was advanced to final reading by voice vote.