LEGISLATIVE NEWS

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPROSED PUTNAM COUNTY CONFIDENTIALITY LAW, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 3:30 & 6:30 p.m.

On Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 and Wednesday night at 6:30, there will be public hearings at the Putnam County Office Building, in Carmel, on the confidentiality law adopted by the county legislature earlier this month. After the hearings, County Executive MaryEllen Odell will either approve or veto the proposed law.

If enacted, the confidentiality law will allow legislators, county employees, county consultants, and contractors to deem documents confidential without meeting any test to determine that confidentiality is required and that a constitutional due process is in place. In addition, the law requires a unanimous vote of the Putnam County legislature for the release of legislative records involving attorney-client privilege, “deliberative process privilege,” or work by county lawyers. A unanimous vote is not usually required for legislative approvals.

This law may prevent business owners from obtaining from Putnam County important documents that impact their business, property, or other interests. The measure may violate established statute and laws. Constituents attending either of the hearings may give the county executive their opinion of the proposed law.

Location: Carmel County Office Building

40 Gleneida Avenue, Room 300

Carmel, NY 10512

Time: 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm – Wednesday, July 24, 2019