summary
Introduced
03/19/2025
03/19/2025
In Committee
03/19/2025
03/19/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amending the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), entitled "An act providing for access to public information, for a designated open-records officer in each Commonwealth agency, local agency, judicial agency and legislative agency, for procedure, for appeal of agency determination, for judicial review and for the Office of Open Records; imposing penalties; providing for reporting by State-related institutions; requiring the posting of certain State contract information on the Internet; and making related repeals," in procedure, further providing for written requests.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Right-to-Know Law to modify provisions related to written requests for public records. The bill changes the language from "should" to "must" regarding the specificity of record requests, requiring that written requests clearly identify or describe the records sought with enough detail for the agency to understand what is being requested. The bill also introduces new considerations for open records officers when evaluating the specificity of a request, including: the burden on the agency to review and redact records within required time periods, potential harm to third-party privacy or proprietary interests, and potential legal consequences of improper record disclosure. The bill allows written requests to be submitted through various means such as in-person, mail, email, fax, or other electronic methods approved by the agency, and mandates that agency employees forward requests to the designated open-records officer. The bill will take effect 60 days after its enactment, providing agencies time to adjust to the new requirements.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (16)
Tim Brennan (D)*,
Heather Boyd (D),
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D),
Missy Cerrato (D),
Joe Ciresi (D),
Mary Jo Daley (D),
José Giral (D),
Roni Green (D),
Pat Harkins (D),
Carol Hill-Evans (D),
Tarik Khan (D),
Steve Malagari (D),
Danielle Otten (D),
Ben Sanchez (D),
Ben Waxman (D),
Dan Williams (D),
Last Action
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs & Operations (on 03/19/2025)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...