STATE GOVERNMENT State Printing and Documents: Provide for Conditions of Disclosure of Public Records Received or Maintained by Private Persons or Private Entities Performing Services for Public Entities; Change Provisions Relating to Time and Manner in Which Custodians Must Respond to Requests for Inspection; Require Custodians to Provide Access to Computer Records by Electronic Means; Require a Custodian Who Refuses to Provide a Document for Inspection to Make a Binding Explanation of the Reasons the Custodian Denied Access; Impose Criminal Penalties for Failure to Provide Access to Records and Define Punishment
Sturdivant, Suzanne F.
Abstract
The Act provides that private persons or entities that perform services for public entities must make records of such services available to the public. It requires the entities to turn over the public records three days after a citizen requests them. The Act also requires the entities to provide access to computer records by electronic means under certain conditions. Under the Act, the custodian must give an explanation when he or she denies access to a requested record.
The Act makes it a criminal offense to knowingly and willfully fail or refuse to provide access to records.