summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill makes certain changes to the public's access to government records. Specifically the bill: ? exempts from disclosure e-mail addresses, home telephone numbers, unlisted or otherwise and cell phone numbers; ? provides for a uniform per page rate for copying government records; ? requires the Government Records Council to develop a form to be used by records custodians that will allow persons to opt-out of having their address made public; ? permits a records custodian to require the requester to obtain the record from the agency website when the information requested is readily available on the website; ? clarifies special service charges includes costs of labor; ? requires the record custodian to accept a record request made on a document other than the adopted form if it contains a notice that it is an OPRA request and contains the information required on the adopted form; ? provides records custodians a seven day extension to comply with large or complicated requests; ? requires the requestor to pick up the requested documents within fourteen business days of the records being available; ? requires contact information for the custodian of a public agency to be included on the agency website; ? requires mediation for all complaints; and ? requires that attorney's fees be awarded only when a knowing and willful violation is found. Also, this bill will permit a Superior Court to issue a protective order limiting the number and scope of requests a requestor may make under the open public records act, N.J.S.A.47:1A-1 et seq. In appropriate circumstances, the court may eliminate a public agency's duty to respond to requests from the requestor in the future. The bill will require the court, in issuing the order, to determine that the requestor has sought records under the act for an improper purpose, including, but not limited to, the harassment of a public agency or its employees.
AI Summary
This bill makes several changes to public access of government records, including exempting email addresses, home and cell phone numbers, and home addresses (if requested by the individual) from public disclosure, establishing a uniform per-page rate for copying records, and requiring the Government Records Council (GRC) to create a form for individuals to opt-out of having their home address made public. It also allows agencies to direct requesters to obtain records from their websites if readily available, clarifies that special service charges for copying include labor costs, and mandates that custodians accept requests made on documents other than the official form if they contain the necessary information and clearly state they are OPRA (Open Public Records Act) requests. The bill provides a seven-day extension for custodians to respond to large or complex requests, requires requesters to pick up documents within fourteen business days, and mandates that contact information for custodians be posted on agency websites. Furthermore, it requires mediation for all complaints filed with the GRC and stipulates that attorney's fees will only be awarded in cases of knowing and willful violations of the law. Finally, the bill empowers the Superior Court to issue protective orders limiting the number and scope of requests from individuals who are found to be using the OPRA for improper purposes, such as harassment, and in extreme cases, may relieve an agency of the duty to respond to future requests from such individuals.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1712 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1712_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S2000/1712_I1.HTM |
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