Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010
News from the Courts
Supreme Judicial Court issues order regarding protection of personal information
The Supreme Judicial Court has issued
an order regarding safeguarding certain nonpublic personal
information collected and maintained in the judicial branch. The
order, issued under G.L.c. 93H, governs the security and
confidentiality of personal information as defined in that statute.
The personal information covered by the order does not include
publicly available information.
The order requires the Trial Court, the Appellate Courts and court
affiliates to develop, implement and maintain written information
security programs applicable to records containing personal
information. The security programs are to ensure that courts
collect the minimum personal information needed to accomplish the
purpose for which the information is collected; securely protect
the information from unauthorized access and disclosure; provide
access to the information only as necessary; and destroy the
information when it is no longer needed. The security programs will
require notification to the appropriate Chief Justice of any breach
of security of personal information.
Additionally, the order requires courts to review the type of
personal information collected with the goal of identifying any
that need not be collected or maintained. Contractors will be
required to comply with the provisions of all information security
programs that apply to the work they will be performing.
Click here to view the order requiring that
the security programs be in place by Sept. 1.