Bill > A619

This bill makes several changes to public access of government records, primarily by amending existing laws. It clarifies that a person's home address can be withheld from public disclosure if they request it, and it also expands the types of telephone numbers that can be redacted from public records to include cellular numbers. The bill also introduces a provision allowing courts to issue protective orders limiting the number and scope of record requests from individuals who are found to be using the law for improper purposes, such as harassing a public agency. Additionally, it modifies the process for attorney's fees in cases where access to records is denied, stating that fees will only be awarded in cases of knowing and willful violations. The bill also allows custodians of government records to direct requesters to obtain records from the agency's website if they are readily available there, and it extends the timeframe for agencies to respond to voluminous or complex record requests by an additional seven business days. Finally, it requires public agencies with websites to prominently post the contact information for their records custodian on that website.