LEGISLATIVE REPORT
lawmakers, saying that the matter has
been referred to the Conference’s Court
Administration and Case Management
Committee, which has jurisdiction over
privacy issues and electronic public
access to court information.
The
secretary went on to say that many of
the concerns raised by the lawmakers
“may be beyond our ability to address
unilaterally because of existing statutory
requirements governing bankruptcy
court records. The statutory mandate
under the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C.
§107, requires that information filed in a
bankruptcy case is a ‘public record’ that
is ‘open to examination.’” In closing,
the secretary assures the senators that
the concerns raised will be “considered
and evaluated within the Judiciary’s
continuing efforts of striking the
sensitive balance between ensuring
transparency through public access
and protecting personal information.”
We currently are talking about next
steps in terms of this effort.
Hill Day at Home 2016
The economic downturn and stubbornly
slow recovery has given us a climate
in which to explain bankruptcy in
the context of high unemployment,
underemployment, home foreclosures,
student loans, and so on. Of course,
changing the perception of bankruptcy
is a slow process but we try to take
advantage of all opportunities –
whether in Congress, the news media,
or with current and new allies. This
time of relatively little congressional
action is perfect for us to continue to
make the case for a strong and effective
bankruptcy system to elected officials,
the news media and allies.
Senators, and their staffs back home.
The interest in doing something serious
and meaningful about student loan debt
is gaining traction. Many, many thanks
to all who are participating and taking
the case directly to lawmakers and
their staff. It makes a real difference!
We have a somewhat smaller group
of Hill Day at Home participants this
year, but the results they are reporting
are certainly encouraging. NACBA
members are meeting with Democrats
and Republicans, House Members,
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Summer 2016
CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY JOURNAL
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