NC bill directs governments to release more personnel info

The measure, backed by the North Carolina Press Association, would expand the information that government employers would have to disclose to the media or citizens in response to personnel records requests.

State law already makes some information in personnel records public, including a worker's name, age, current salary, salary increases and the “general description of the reasons for each promotion.”

The bill, filed by four Republican senators, would now require a similar general description for the reasons for demotions, dismissals, transfers or suspensions.

John Bussian, an attorney representing the N.C. Press Association, said recently the measure is a “real transparency bill” that would give “the public the right to see records on the performance of government employees at all levels.”

The personnel records measure also would apply to community colleges and regional agencies that manage patients who receive mental and substance abuse treatment.

In a joint statement issued April 1, the N.C. Press Association and the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters urged passage of the bill.

"NCAB and NCPA believe that all North Carolinians benefit from more openness and transparency – not less," the statement said. "North Carolina’s public records laws have long trailed the vast majority of states when it comes to providing access to state and local government personnel hiring, firing and performance records, which are vital to the public's right to know. Passage of Senate Bill 355 can only inspire public confidence in North Carolina’s government.

"NCAB and NCPA are proud to endorse the Government Transparency Act of 2021 and its goal of increasing the citizenry’s access to information about the actions and performance of public employees whose salaries are paid with taxpayer dollars," the statement concluded.