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SB 58 (See also SB 307) – Disclosure of news sources or information. Provides that certain individuals and entities that disseminate information to the public by print, broadcast, cable, satellite, mechanical, photographic, electronic, or other means shall not be required to disclose, in any state or federal proceeding, the source of any information. Protected persons and entities shall not be required to disclose any unpublished or non-broadcast information obtained or prepared in gathering, receiving, or processing of information for any medium of public communication as described in this act. The requesting person or entity may move the circuit court in the county where the proceeding is located for an order to require a person claiming the privilege to disclose the information sought. Allows the court to grant divestiture of the privilege if it finds that:

(1) The information sought does not involve matters or details necessary in any proceeding that are required to be kept secret under federal or state law; and that all other available sources of information have been exhausted; and

(2) Disclosure of the information is essential to the protection of the public interest involved in the proceedings; and

(3) In libel or slander cases, the movant’s need for disclosure of the information sought outweighs the public interest in protecting the confidentiality of sources and information used by a reported as part of the news-gathering process under the particular facts and circumstances of each particular case. Provides that the privilege remain in effect during the pendency of any appeal.

HB 762 – Unbroadcast information. Restricts the ability to issue a subpoena for unpublished or unbroadcast news media information.