Public Record Requests (PRR) information
On June 3, 2016, “An Act to Improve Public Records” was signed into law, enhancing public access to information. That law went into effect January 1, 2017. While diligent efforts are made every day across the Executive Branch to respond to a large number of public record requests, this law provides standards that will improve our approach to reduce delays and costs that burden accessibility.
For more information about making a request or filing an appeal, see Chapter 121 of the Acts of 2016.
Public Record Request tips
Consider how you can narrow the scope of your request to expedite the production process. The first four hours of work performed to respond to a Public Record Request (PRR) will be performed at no cost. After that, the agency may charge up to $25 per hour.
Public agencies must follow the law, requiring them to secure personally-identifiable information and prevent unreasonable invasions of privacy. Documents with this information in them must be redacted carefully before releasing, increasing time needed for production. Consider how you might change your PRR to exclude records containing this information.