Bill > S2138

This bill makes several changes to the state's Access to Public Records Act, aiming to increase transparency and accountability. It clarifies existing provisions, strengthens penalties for knowing and willful violations of the law by increasing civil fines for public officials from $2,000 to $4,000 for knowing violations and from $1,000 to $2,000 for reckless violations, and makes certain previously restricted information publicly accessible. Specifically, traffic accident data, which was previously protected under federal law from discovery in damages actions, will now be considered public records, though its use for those prohibited purposes remains restricted. Additionally, information about individuals who obtain preferred license plates, defined as plates with one to four digits or a combination of letters and digits approved by the governor's office, will also be made public, provided it doesn't violate federal privacy laws. The bill also expands public access to police records, including reports of incidents that do not lead to an arrest, final internal affairs investigation reports (with personal identifiers redacted if they constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy), and all police-worn body camera footage, which must be made available within 30 days of a request. The timeframe for making arrest logs public has been extended from five to thirty days after an arrest. The bill also introduces provisions to address "vexatious requests" filed with the intent to disrupt government operations, allowing public bodies to seek court orders to be relieved of fulfilling such requests under specific circumstances, and establishes a process for fee waivers for public interest requests. Finally, it amends the 911 Emergency Telephone Number Act to allow for the release of call recordings to the caller, individuals heard on the call, or the subject of the call or their next of kin, under certain conditions.

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