Blank pursuant to CA GC 6254.21 is a phrase that sometimes appears in public records or property databases in California when certain information has been intentionally omitted or redacted from view. This wording can be confusing to people who are trying to access government documents or look up property details online. To understand what it means and why information might be listed this way, it helps to know a little about the California Public Records Act and the specific section of law referenced, Government Code 6254.21. This code sets guidelines about when personal contact information of certain individuals can be shown or must be withheld in publicly accessible records.
What Does Pursuant to CA GC 6254.21 Mean?
The phrase pursuant to CA GC 6254.21 refers to the fact that something has been done in accordance with California Government Code Section 6254.21. This section is part of the California Public Records Act, a state law that governs access to public records held by government agencies in California. The Public Records Act generally makes government information accessible to the public, but also includes exemptions for certain types of information that should not be publicly disclosed for privacy or safety reasons. When a record is labeled blank pursuant to CA GC 6254.21, it means that the information has been omitted or withheld because the law protects it from being posted publicly.
Exemptions Under Government Code Section 6254.21
Government Code Section 6254.21 specifically limits the disclosure of home addresses and telephone numbers of elected or appointed officials. The purpose of this section is to protect the privacy and safety of public servants and their families by preventing the unauthorized publication of their residential contact details on the Internet. This means that when a public database would otherwise display an official’s home address or phone number, agencies may instead leave the field blank or replace it with a notice referring to this statute.
The law also addresses the posting of this information by private individuals or businesses, not just government agencies. It prohibits knowingly posting the home address or telephone number of an elected or appointed official with the intent to cause imminent great bodily harm. In such cases, it can be a misdemeanor or even a felony depending on the results of the disclosure.
Why Public Records Sometimes Appear Blank
When you search for property records, assessor information, or other government data online in California, you might encounter entries that show Blank pursuant to CA GC 6254.21 instead of an actual address or owner name. This occurs because the county assessor or other governmental systems recognize that certain personal information is protected under the law and therefore cannot be posted on publicly accessible Internet sites. The information itself still exists and may be available through other means, but it cannot be displayed without written permission from the person whose information is protected.
Protecting Personal Information
The goal of this privacy protection is to make sure that home addresses and phone numbers of officials are not spread widely on the Internet for anyone to see. In the absence of this protection, it could be easy for someone to misuse this information, especially in ways that could threaten safety, security, or personal privacy. This is why the law places limits on posting such data online and why records often show blank in place of the actual details if it involves a protected party.
It’s important to note that the protected information relates specifically to the contact details of elected or appointed officials. The statute lists a wide range of positions that may qualify for this protection, including state constitutional officers, judges, members of the Legislature, mayors, city attorneys, sheriffs, and other officials whose duties might expose them or their families to personal safety risks.
How This Affects Property and Public Database Searches
When browsing county property databases or government record sites, many fields in a property record are typically visible, such as parcel number, legal description, property class, and land value. However, if the property owner is a person who is protected under Government Code Section 6254.21, their personal contact information might not be shown online, and instead you will see blank pursuant to CA GC 6254.21 where that information would normally appear. This does not mean the record is incomplete; rather, it reflects compliance with the law to protect privacy.
Example Situations
- If a property owner is or was an elected official and has not provided written permission to publish their home address, that part of the record may be left blank under this code.
- When an assessor’s database normally would list owner name and mailing address, but those fields are redacted because of the statute, you will see a blank field with a reference to the code.
- Contact information that appears on tax rolls or public maps might be withheld from public web display for safety reasons.
Limitations and Legal Context
While Government Code Section 6254.21 protects certain personal data from being posted online, it does not make the underlying public record completely inaccessible. The California Public Records Act generally requires that records be available for inspection unless an exemption applies. This means that even if an online database redacts owner information under this statute, the record may still be available to view in person or via a formal public records request. The key distinction is between public availability on the Internet and controlled access through other means that comply with the law.
The Public Records Act includes many exemptions for privacy, safety, law enforcement, and other concerns, and Government Code Section 6254.21 is just one specific example. Agencies must balance the public’s right to know with the need to protect individuals’ privacy and safety. In practice, this often means redacting or withholding sensitive information while still providing access to the rest of the record.
Written Permission and Disclosure
If a protected official chooses to provide written permission for their home address or telephone number to be posted, agencies may then publish that information online. Without such permission, government entities must respect the statute and keep that information off public websites. This helps ensure that the privacy protections intended by the law are upheld.
The phrase blank pursuant to CA GC 6254.21 indicates that specific information has been intentionally left out of a public record online due to California Government Code Section 6254.21. This law protects the home addresses and telephone numbers of elected or appointed officials from being posted on the Internet without written consent, aiming to safeguard privacy and safety. When a database shows a blank field with this reference, it reflects compliance with the California Public Records Act and its exemptions rather than a missing record. Understanding this context helps clarify why some data may not be visible online and how privacy protections affect the way public records are presented. Whether searching for property details or other government records, recognizing the role of this statute can provide insight into why certain information is omitted and how it relates to broader policies regarding public access and privacy protection.