Bill > S00067

This bill amends the New York Public Officers Law to clarify the process for disclosing records under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Currently, agencies must make records available for public inspection, but they can withhold certain exempt portions. The bill explicitly allows agencies to redact or withhold specific portions of a record that are exempt from disclosure while still releasing the remaining non-exempt parts of the document. This means that if a record contains both public and confidential information, the agency can remove or black out the sensitive sections but must still provide access to the rest of the document. The bill emphasizes that denials of access cannot be based solely on the type of record and must have a specific, particularized justification for withholding information. This change aims to make government records more transparent while still protecting legitimate privacy and confidentiality concerns.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S67