Bill > A08586

This bill amends the Public Officers Law to update the time frames for responding to requests for records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The key provisions are: 1. Agencies must provide a written acknowledgement within 5 business days of receiving a FOIA request, which must include a statement of the approximate date (not to exceed 30 days) when the request will be granted or denied, and an explanation for the delay. If the agency fails to provide the acknowledgement, the request is deemed denied and is appealable. 2. Agencies may only extend the response date beyond 30 days if they determine to grant the request in whole or in part, and must provide a new response date no later than 60 days from the original request. In no case can the agency take longer than 60 days to respond to a request. 3. Agencies cannot deny a request on the basis that it is voluminous or burdensome, if the agency can engage an outside service to provide the required copying, programming, or other services. 4. Agencies must accept FOIA requests submitted by email and respond electronically, to the extent practicable. 5. State agencies that maintain a website must ensure their website provides for the online submission of FOIA requests. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.