What Are Public Records?

• The law defines public records as "any paper, written or printed book, document, drawing, map, plan, photograph, microfilm, data processed or image processed document, information stored or maintained electronically or by sound recording or in a similar device, or any copy thereof, that has been made, maintained or kept on file."
  
  Information such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, unlisted telephone numbers, or driver license numbers will be redacted.
  
  

Who Is Covered?

• The law covers departments of the executive and legislative branches of state and local governments. It also covers any commission, board, division, office or bureau created by them and any independent state commission, agency or authority.
  
  

When Is Access Available?

• The law requires that public records be accessible during normal business hours or during at least six regular business hours over at least three business days per week. The latter option applies to cities and towns with fewer than 5,000 population, school districts with fewer than 500 students and any public authority with assets of less than $10 million. An agency has seven days to respond to a records request.
  
  

What Are the Fees?

• The law allows agencies to charge a fee for copies of public records. If local law doesn't specify the fee, it sets copying fees at 75 cents each for the first 10 pages, 50 cents each for pages 11-20 and 25 cents each for any additional pages. Labor or other overhead costs cannot be included unless the request involves "an extraordinary expenditure of time and effort."
  
  

What Are the Exemptions?

• Exemptions to the law include criminal investigations, trade secrets, security information (on individuals, infrastructure or electronics), employee grievances and contract negotiations, communication within the legislature, student and applicant records, records of charitable donations, academic research and personal information. The law also prohibits criminals from seeking information on victims.