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Bill allows Newtown families to release records

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A bill crafted behind the scenes is requiring the written consent of family members of the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims before certain records concerning the massacre, such as photos and videotapes, are publicly released.

Governor Dannel Malloy's office released a working draft of the bill Wednesday.

The draft says only transcriptions of any emergency 911 calls related to the Dec. 14 shooting, not the audio, will be released to the public for a fee.

A coalition of news organizations sent a letter to Malloy cautioning his administration and the General Assembly from restricting public access to information about what happened in Newtown or other crimes, regardless of scope.

Chief State's Attorney Kevin Kane said officials are trying to address the privacy concerns expressed by some Newtown families.  While Kane acknowledged media outlets typically do not publish gruesome crime scene photos, he said ``with the Internet, we're in a whole different era.''

Mark Ojakian, Malloy's chief of staff, said officials are ``exploring ways to respect the families' right to privacy while also respecting the public's right to information.''

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Dave Rinelli

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