AB 343: California Public Records Act: elected or appointed officials.

The bill aims to amend the California Public Records Act to include additional categories of officials who are exempt from disclosure. The bill would expand the definition of "elected or appointed official" to include retired officials, judges of the state bar court, and appointees serving as children's counsel in family or dependency proceedings. This expansion would impose a state-mandated local program related to the unauthorized disclosure of information about these officials. The bill also makes legislative findings to justify the limitation on the right of access to the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies. Additionally, the bill provides that no reimbursement is required by this act for the costs of implementing the expanded definition of "elected or appointed official".