Bill > H5004

This bill aims to improve access to public records by expanding the definition of what constitutes a "public record" to include most documents held by the General Court (the Massachusetts Legislature) and the Office of the Governor, although it carves out exceptions for communications between legislators and their constituents that are related to constituent requests for assistance with government benefits or services, and for documents related to the development of policy positions by legislators or the governor. The bill also clarifies that the term "agency" for the purposes of public records law includes the General Court and the Office of the Governor, and it specifically exempts declarations, affidavits, and other papers filed by claimants with the secretary of veterans' services from being considered public records.