Bill > A06613

This bill amends the New York Public Officers Law to clarify the process for handling records requested under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Specifically, the bill allows government agencies to redact or withhold portions of a record that are exempt from disclosure while still releasing the remaining portions of the document that can be legally shared. Previously, agencies were required to make all records available for public inspection, with some exceptions. The new provision explicitly states that when a record contains both exempt and non-exempt sections, agencies can remove or block out the exempt portions while disclosing 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. This change aims to promote transparency by ensuring that as much information as possible is made available to the public, while still protecting sensitive or confidential information that is legally exempt from disclosure.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6613