PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 772, 1509 PRINTER'S NO. 1553
No. 1 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY PILEGGI, SCARNATI, MELLOW, ORIE, KASUNIC, MUSTO, RAFFERTY, O'PAKE, TOMLINSON, M. WHITE, ERICKSON, WAUGH, FOLMER, COSTA, EARLL, VANCE, BOSCOLA, CORMAN, WONDERLING, GORDNER, RHOADES, D. WHITE, PIPPY, MADIGAN, ARMSTRONG, BAKER, C. WILLIAMS, BRUBAKER, BROWNE, REGOLA AND DINNIMAN, MARCH 29, 2007
SENATOR ARMSTRONG, APPROPRIATIONS, RE-REPORTED AS AMENDED, NOVEMBER 14, 2007
AN ACT 1 Providing for access to public information, for a designated 2 open-records officer in each Commonwealth agency, local 3 agency, judicial agency and legislative agency, for 4 procedure, for appeal of agency determination, for judicial 5 review and for an Open Records Clearinghouse; imposing 6 penalties; providing for reporting by State-related 7 institutions; requiring the posting of certain State contract 8 information on the Internet; and making related repeals. 9 TABLE OF CONTENTS 10 Chapter 1. Preliminary Provisions 11 Section 101. Short title. 12 Section 102. Definitions. 13 Chapter 3. Requirements and Prohibitions 14 Section 301. Commonwealth agencies. 15 Section 302. Local agencies. 16 Section 303. Legislative agencies. 17 Section 304. Judicial agencies. 18 Section 305. Presumption.
1 Section 306. Nature of document. 2 Chapter 5. Access 3 Section 501. Scope of chapter. 4 Section 502. Open-records officer. 5 Section 503. Appeals officer. 6 Section 504. Regulations and policies. 7 Section 505. Uniform form. 8 Section 506. Requests. 9 Section 507. Retention of records. 10 Chapter 7. Procedure 11 Section 701. Access to public records. 12 Section 702. Requests. 13 Section 703. Written requests. 14 Section 704. Electronic access. 15 Section 705. Creation of record. 16 Section 706. Redaction. 17 Section 707. Production of certain records. 18 Section 708. Exceptions for public records. 19 Chapter 9. Agency Response 20 Section 901. General rule. 21 Section 902. Extension of time. 22 Section 903. Denial. 23 Section 904. Certified copies. 24 Chapter 11. Appeal of Agency Determination 25 Section 1101. Filing of appeal. 26 Section 1102. Appeals officers. 27 Chapter 13. Judicial Review 28 Section 1301. Commonwealth agencies, legislative agencies and 29 judicial agencies. 30 Section 1302. Local agencies. 20070S0001B1553 - 2 -
1 Section 1303. Notice and records.
2 Section 1304. Court costs and attorney fees.
3 Section 1305. Penalties.
4 Section 1306. Immunity.
5 Section 1307. Fee limitations.
6 Section 1308. Prohibition.
7 Section 1309. Practice and procedure.
8 Section 1310. Clearinghouse.
9 Chapter 15. State-Related Institutions
10 Section 1501. Definition.
11 Section 1502. Reporting.
12 Section 1503. Contents of report.
13 Section 1504. Copies and posting.
14 Chapter 17. State Contract Information
15 Section 1701. Submission and retention of contracts.
16 Section 1702. Public availability of contracts.
17 Section 1703. Commercial use of data prohibited. <--
18 Chapter 31. Miscellaneous Provisions
19 Section 3101. Applicability.
20 Section 3102. Repeals.
21 Section 3103. Effective date.
22 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
23 hereby enacts as follows:
24 CHAPTER 1
25 PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
26 Section 101. Short title.
27 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Right-to-Know
28 Law.
29 Section 102. Definitions.
30 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
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1 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 2 context clearly indicates otherwise: 3 "Agency." A Commonwealth agency, a local agency, a judicial 4 agency or a legislative agency. 5 "Aggregated data." A tabulation of data which relate to 6 broad classes, groups or categories so that it is not possible 7 to distinguish the properties of individuals within those 8 classes, groups or categories. 9 "Appeals officer." As follows: 10 (1) For a Commonwealth agency or a local agency, the 11 appeals officer designated under section 503(a). 12 (2) For a judicial agency, the individual designated 13 under section 503(b). 14 (3) For a legislative agency, the individual designated 15 under section 503(c). 16 "Clearinghouse." The Open Records Clearinghouse established 17 pursuant to the provisions of section 1310. 18 "Commonwealth agency." Any of the following: 19 (1) Any office, department, authority, board, multistate 20 agency or commission of the executive branch; an independent 21 agency; and a State-affiliated entity. The term includes: 22 (i) The Governor's Office. 23 (ii) The Office of Attorney General, the Department 24 of the Auditor General and the Treasury Department. 25 (iii) A statutorily established organization which 26 performs or is intended to perform an essential 27 governmental function. 28 (2) The term does not include a judicial or legislative 29 agency. 30 "Confidential proprietary information." Commercial or 20070S0001B1553 - 4 -
1 financial information received by an agency: 2 (1) which is privileged or confidential; and 3 (2) the disclosure of which would cause substantial harm 4 to the competitive position of the person that submitted the 5 information. 6 "Financial record." Includes: 7 (1) Any account, voucher or contract dealing with: 8 (i) the receipt or disbursement of funds by an 9 agency; or 10 (ii) an agency's acquisition, use or disposal of 11 services, supplies, materials, equipment or property. 12 (2) The salary or other payments or expenses paid to an 13 officer or employee of an agency, including the name and 14 title of the officer or employee. 15 (3) Results of a financial audit. 16 "Homeland security." Governmental actions designed to 17 prevent, detect, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism, 18 major disasters and other emergencies, whether natural or 19 manmade. The term includes activities relating to the following: 20 (1) emergency preparedness and response, including 21 preparedness and response activities by volunteer medical, 22 police, emergency management, hazardous materials and fire 23 personnel; 24 (2) intelligence activities; 25 (3) critical infrastructure protection; 26 (4) border security; 27 (5) ground, aviation and maritime transportation 28 security; 29 (6) biodefense; 30 (7) detection of nuclear and radiological materials; and 20070S0001B1553 - 5 -
1 (8) research on next-generation securities technologies. 2 "Independent agency." Any board, commission or other agency 3 or officer of the Commonwealth, that is not subject to the 4 policy supervision and control of the Governor. The term does 5 not include a legislative or judicial agency. 6 "Judicial agency." A court of the Commonwealth or any other 7 entity or office of the unified judicial system. 8 "Legislative agency." Any of the following: 9 (1) The Senate. 10 (2) The House of Representatives. 11 (3) The Capitol Preservation Committee. 12 (4) The Center for Rural Pennsylvania. 13 (5) The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution 14 Control and Conservation Committee. 15 (6) The Joint State Government Commission. 16 (7) The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee. 17 (8) The Legislative Data Processing Committee. 18 (9) The Independent Regulatory Review Commission. 19 (10) The Legislative Reference Bureau. 20 (11) The Local Government Commission. 21 (12) The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. 22 "Legislative record." Includes the following information 23 relating to a legislative agency or standing committee: 24 (1) A financial record. 25 (2) A bill or resolution that has been introduced and 26 amendments offered thereto in committee or in legislative 27 session, including resolutions to adopt or amend the rules of 28 a chamber. 29 (3) Fiscal notes. 30 (4) A cosponsorship memorandum. 20070S0001B1553 - 6 -
1 (5) The journal of a chamber. 2 (6) The minutes of a public committee meeting. 3 (7) The transcript of a public hearing when available. 4 (8) The record of attendance of members at a committee 5 meeting. 6 (9) The rules of a chamber. 7 (10) A record of all recorded votes taken in a committee 8 meeting or legislative session. 9 (11) Any administrative staff manuals or written 10 policies. 11 (12) An audit prepared pursuant to the act of June 30, 12 1970 (P.L.442, No.151) entitled, "An act implementing the 13 provisions of Article VIII, section 10 of the Constitution of 14 Pennsylvania, by designating the Commonwealth officers who 15 shall be charged with the function of auditing the financial 16 transactions after the occurrence thereof of the Legislative 17 and Judicial branches of the government of the Commonwealth, 18 establishing a Legislative Audit Advisory Commission, and 19 imposing certain powers and duties on such commission." 20 (13) Final or annual reports required by law to be 21 submitted to the General Assembly. 22 (14) Legislative Budget and Finance Committee reports. 23 (15) Marked calendars. 24 "Local agency." Any of the following: 25 (1) Any political subdivision, intermediate unit, 26 charter school or public trade or vocational school. 27 (2) Any local, intergovernmental, regional or municipal 28 agency, authority, council, board, commission or similar 29 governmental entity. 30 "Personal financial information." An individual's personal 20070S0001B1553 - 7 -
1 credit, charge or debit card information; bank account 2 information; bank, credit or financial statements; account or 3 PIN numbers and other information relating to an individual's 4 personal finances. 5 "Privilege." The attorney-work product doctrine, the 6 attorney-client privilege, the doctor-patient privilege or other 7 privilege recognized by a court interpreting the laws of this 8 Commonwealth. 9 "Public record." A record of a Commonwealth or local agency 10 that: 11 (1) is not exempt under section 708; 12 (2) is not exempt from being disclosed under any other 13 Federal or State law or regulation or judicial order or 14 decree; or 15 (3) is not protected by a privilege. 16 "Record." Information, regardless of physical form or 17 characteristics, that documents a transaction or activity of an 18 agency and that is created, received or retained pursuant to law 19 or in connection with a transaction, business or activity of the 20 agency. The term includes a document, paper, letter, map, book, 21 tape, photograph, film or sound recording, information stored or 22 maintained electronically and a data-processed or image- 23 processed document. The term includes a financial record, a 24 legislative record and a public record. 25 "Requester." A person that is a resident of the United 26 States and requests a record pursuant to this act. The term 27 includes a political subdivision. 28 "Response." Access to a record or an agency's written notice 29 granting, denying or partially granting and partially denying 30 access to a record. 20070S0001B1553 - 8 -
1 "Social services." Cash assistance and other welfare
2 benefits, medical, mental and other health care services, drug
3 and alcohol treatment, adoption services, vocational and
4 occupational training, education and SERVICES, counseling <--
5 services, workers' compensation SERVICES and unemployment <--
6 compensation services, foster care services and services for
7 victims of crimes.
8 "State-affiliated entity." A Commonwealth authority or
9 Commonwealth entity. The term includes the Pennsylvania Higher
10 Education Assistance Agency, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance
11 Agency, the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Board, the State
12 System of Higher Education, a community college, the
13 Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania Public
14 Utility Commission, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment
15 Authority, the State Public School Building Authority, the
16 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and the
17 Pennsylvania Educational Facilities Authority. The term does not
18 include a State-related institution.
19 "Terrorist act." A violent or life-threatening act that
20 violates the criminal laws of the United States or any state and
21 appears to be intended to:
22 (1) intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
23 (2) influence the policy of a government; or
24 (3) affect the conduct of a government by mass
25 destruction, assassination or kidnapping.
26 "Trade secret." Information, including a formula, drawing,
27 pattern, compilation, including a customer list, program,
28 device, method, technique or process that:
29 (1) derives independent economic value, actual or
30 potential, from not being generally known to and not being
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1 readily ascertainable by proper means by other persons who 2 can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and 3 (2) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under 4 the circumstances to maintain its secrecy. 5 The term includes data processing software obtained by an agency 6 under a licensing agreement prohibiting disclosure. 7 CHAPTER 3 8 REQUIREMENTS AND PROHIBITIONS 9 Section 301. Commonwealth agencies. 10 (a) Requirement.--A Commonwealth agency shall provide public 11 records in accordance with this act. 12 (b) Prohibition.--A Commonwealth agency may not deny a 13 requester access to a public record due to the intended use of 14 the public record by the requester. 15 Section 302. Local agencies. 16 (a) Requirement.--A local agency shall provide public 17 records in accordance with this act. 18 (b) Prohibition.--A local agency may not deny a requester 19 access to a public record due to the intended use of the public 20 record by the requester. 21 Section 303. Legislative agencies. 22 (a) Requirement.--A legislative agency shall provide 23 legislative records in accordance with this act. 24 (b) Prohibition.--A legislative agency may not deny a 25 requester access to a legislative record due to the intended use 26 of the legislative record by the requester. 27 Section 304. Judicial agencies. 28 (a) Requirement.--A judicial agency shall provide financial 29 records in accordance with this act. 30 (b) Prohibition.--A judicial agency may not deny a requester 20070S0001B1553 - 10 -
1 access to a financial record due to the intended use of the 2 financial record by the requester. 3 Section 305. Presumption. 4 A record in the possession of a Commonwealth agency or local 5 agency shall be presumed to be a public record unless the record <-- 6 is exempt under section 708. UNLESS: <-- 7 (1) THE RECORD IS EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 708; 8 (2) THE RECORD IS PROTECTED BY A PRIVILEGE; OR 9 (3) THE RECORD IS EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER ANY OTHER 10 FEDERAL OR STATE LAW OR REGULATION OR JUDICIAL ORDER OR 11 DECREE. 12 Section 306. Nature of document. 13 Nothing in this act shall supersede or modify the public or 14 confidential nature of a record or document established in 15 Federal or State statute or law, REGULATION OR JUDICIAL ORDER OR <-- 16 DECREE. 17 CHAPTER 5 18 ACCESS 19 Section 501. Scope of chapter. 20 This chapter applies to all agencies. 21 Section 502. Open-records officer. 22 (a) Establishment.-- 23 (1) An agency shall designate an official or employee to 24 act as the open-records officer. 25 (2) For a legislative agency other than the Senate or 26 the House of Representatives, the open-records officer 27 designated by the Legislative Reference Bureau shall serve as 28 the open-records officer. 29 (b) Functions.-- 30 (1) The open-records officer shall receive requests 20070S0001B1553 - 11 -
1 submitted to the agency under this act, direct requests to 2 other appropriate persons within the agency, track the 3 agency's progress in responding to requests and issue interim 4 and final responses under this act. 5 (2) Upon receiving a request for a public record, 6 legislative record or financial record, the open-records 7 officer shall do all of the following: 8 (i) Date stamp a NOTE THE DATE OF RECEIPT ON THE <-- 9 written request. 10 (ii) Compute the day on which the five-day period 11 under section 901 will expire and make a notation of that 12 date on the written request. 13 (iii) Maintain an electronic or paper copy of a 14 written request, including all documents submitted with 15 the request UNTIL THE REQUEST HAS BEEN FULFILLED. IF THE <-- 16 REQUEST IS DENIED, THE WRITTEN REQUEST SHALL BE 17 MAINTAINED FOR 30 DAYS OR, IF AN APPEAL IS FILED, UNTIL A 18 FINAL DETERMINATION IS ISSUED UNDER SECTION 1101(B) OR 19 THE APPEAL IS DEEMED DENIED. 20 (iv) Create a file for the retention of the original 21 request, a copy of the response, a record of verbal or <-- 22 written communications with the requester and a copy of 23 other communications. 24 Section 503. Appeals officer. 25 (a) Commonwealth agencies and local agencies.--The EXCEPT AS <-- 26 PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (D), THE clearinghouse established under 27 section 1310 shall designate an appeals officer under section 28 1101(a)(2) for all: 29 (1) Commonwealth agencies; and 30 (2) local agencies. 20070S0001B1553 - 12 -
1 (b) Judicial agencies.--A judicial agency shall designate an
2 appeals officer TO HEAR APPEALS UNDER CHAPTER 11. <--
3 (c) Legislative agencies.--
4 (1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), the
5 Legislative Reference Bureau shall designate an appeals
6 officer to serve HEAR APPEALS UNDER CHAPTER 11 for all <--
7 legislative agencies.
8 (2) Each of the following shall designate an appeals
9 officer TO HEAR APPEALS UNDER CHAPTER 11: <--
10 (i) The Senate.
11 (ii) The House of Representatives.
12 (D) LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICIALS.-- <--
13 (1) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE TREASURER AND AUDITOR
14 GENERAL SHALL EACH DESIGNATE AN APPEALS OFFICER TO HEAR
15 APPEALS UNDER CHAPTER 11.
16 (2) THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF A COUNTY SHALL DESIGNATE AN
17 APPEALS OFFICER TO HEAR APPEALS UNDER CHAPTER 11 RELATING TO
18 ACCESS TO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE RECORDS IN POSSESSION OF A
19 LOCAL AGENCY OF THAT COUNTY. THE APPEALS OFFICER DESIGNATED
20 BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SHALL DETERMINE IF THE RECORD
21 REQUESTED IS A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE RECORD.
22 Section 504. Regulations and policies.
23 (a) Authority.--An agency may promulgate regulations, rules
24 or policies necessary for the agency to implement this act. The
25 clearinghouse may promulgate regulations relating to appeals
26 INVOLVING A COMMONWEALTH AGENCY OR LOCAL AGENCY. <--
27 (b) Posting.--The following information shall be posted at
28 each agency and, if the agency maintains an Internet website, on
29 the agency's Internet website:
30 (1) Contact information for the open-records officer.
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1 (2) Contact information for the clearinghouse or other 2 applicable appeals officer. 3 (3) A form which may be used to file a request. 4 (4) Rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the 5 agency relating to this act. 6 Section 505. Uniform form. 7 (a) Commonwealth agencies.--The clearinghouse shall develop 8 a uniform form which shall be accepted by all Commonwealth and 9 local agencies IN ADDITION TO ANY FORM USED BY THE AGENCY to <-- 10 file a request under this act. The UNIFORM form shall be <-- 11 published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and on the 12 clearinghouse's Internet website. 13 (b) Judicial agencies.--A judicial agency may develop a form 14 to request financial records or may use a form developed by the 15 Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts or the 16 clearinghouse. 17 (c) Legislative agencies.--A legislative agency may develop 18 a form to request legislative records or may use the form 19 developed by the clearinghouse. 20 Section 506. Requests. 21 (a) Disruptive requests.-- 22 (1) An agency may deny a requester access to a record if 23 the requester has made repeated requests for that same record 24 which requests have placed an unreasonable burden on the 25 agency. 26 (2) A denial under this subsection shall not restrict 27 the ability to request a different record. 28 (b) Disaster or potential damage.-- 29 (1) An agency may deny a requester access: 30 (i) when timely access is not possible due to fire, 20070S0001B1553 - 14 -
1 flood or other disaster; or 2 (ii) to historical, ancient or rare documents, 3 records, archives and manuscripts when access may, in the 4 professional judgment of the curator or custodian of 5 records, cause physical damage or irreparable harm to the 6 record. 7 (2) To the extent possible, the contents of a record 8 under this subsection shall be made accessible to a requester 9 even when the record is physically unavailable. 10 (c) Agency discretion.--An agency may exercise its 11 discretion to make any otherwise exempt record accessible for 12 inspection and copying under this chapter, if all of the 13 following apply: 14 (1) Disclosure of the record is not prohibited under any 15 of the following: 16 (i) Federal or State law or regulation. 17 (ii) Judicial order or decree. 18 (2) The record is not protected by a privilege. 19 (3) The agency head determines that the public interest 20 favoring access outweighs any individual, agency or public 21 interest that may favor restriction of access. 22 (d) Agency possession.-- 23 (1) A PUBLIC record that is not in the possession of an <-- 24 agency but is in the possession of a party with whom the 25 agency has contracted to perform a governmental function for 26 the agency, and which directly relates to the governmental 27 function AND IS NOT EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 305, shall be <-- 28 considered a public record of the agency for purposes of this 29 act. 30 (2) Nothing in this act shall be construed to require 20070S0001B1553 - 15 -
1 access to any other record of the party in possession of the 2 record. 3 (3) A request for a record in possession of a party 4 other than the agency shall be submitted to the open records 5 officer of the agency. THE OPEN RECORDS OFFICER SHALL ASSESS <-- 6 THE DUPLICATION FEE ESTABLISHED UNDER SECTION 1307(B) AND 7 REMIT THE FEE TO THE PARTY IN POSSESSION OF THE RECORD IF THE 8 PARTY DUPLICATED THE RECORD. 9 Section 507. Retention of records. 10 Nothing in this act shall be construed to modify, rescind or 11 supersede any record retention disposition schedule of an agency 12 established pursuant to law, regulation, policy or other 13 directive. 14 CHAPTER 7 15 PROCEDURE 16 Section 701. Access to public records. 17 (a) General rule.--Unless otherwise provided by law, a 18 public record, legislative record or financial record shall be 19 accessible for inspection and duplication in accordance with 20 this act. A record shall be provided to a requester in the 21 medium requested if the public record exists in that medium; 22 otherwise, it shall be provided in the medium in which it 23 exists. Public records, legislative records or financial records 24 shall be available for access during the regular business hours 25 of an agency. 26 (b) Construction.--Nothing in this act shall be construed to 27 require access to the computer of an agency or individual 28 employee of an agency. 29 Section 702. Requests. 30 Agencies may fulfill informal verbal, written or anonymous 20070S0001B1553 - 16 -
1 verbal or written requests for access to records under this act. 2 In the event that the requester wishes to pursue the relief and 3 remedies provided for in this act, the requester must initiate 4 such relief with a written request. 5 Section 703. Written requests. 6 A written request for access to records may be submitted in 7 person, by mail, by e-mail, by facsimile or, to the extent 8 provided by agency rules, any other electronic means. A written 9 request shall be addressed to the agency head or open-records 10 officer designated in section 502. A written request should 11 identify or describe the records sought with sufficient 12 specificity to enable the agency to ascertain which records are 13 being requested and shall include the name and address to which 14 the agency should address its response. A written request need 15 not include any explanation of the requester's reason for 16 requesting or intended use of the records. 17 Section 704. Electronic access. 18 (a) General rule.--In addition to the requirements of 19 section 701, an agency may make its records available through 20 any publicly accessible electronic means. 21 (b) Response.-- 22 (1) In addition to the requirements of section 701, an 23 agency may respond to a request by notifying the requester 24 that the record is available through publicly accessible 25 electronic means or that the agency will provide access to 26 inspect the record electronically. 27 (2) If the requester is unwilling or unable to use the 28 electronic access, the requester may submit a written request 29 to the agency, within 30 days following receipt of the agency 30 notification, to have the record converted to paper. The 20070S0001B1553 - 17 -
1 agency shall provide the record in printed form within five 2 days of the receipt of the written request for conversion to 3 paper. 4 Section 705. Creation of record. 5 When responding to a request for access, an agency shall not 6 be required to create a record which does not currently exist or 7 to compile, maintain, format or organize a record in a manner in 8 which the agency does not currently compile, maintain, format or 9 organize the record. 10 Section 706. Redaction. 11 If an agency determines that a public record, legislative 12 record or financial record contains information which is subject 13 to access as well as information which is not subject to access 14 UNDER SECTION 305 OR 708, the agency's response shall grant <-- 15 access to the information which is subject to access and deny 16 access to the information which is not subject to access. If the 17 information which is not subject to access is an integral part 18 of the public record, legislative record or financial record and 19 cannot be separated, the agency shall redact from the record the 20 information which is not subject to access, and the response 21 shall grant access to the information which is subject to 22 access. The agency may not deny access to the record if the 23 information which is not subject to access is able to be 24 redacted. Information which an agency redacts in accordance with 25 this subsection shall be deemed a denial under Chapter 9. 26 Section 707. Production of certain records. 27 (A) GENERAL RULE.--If, in response to a request, an agency <-- 28 produces a record that is not a public record, legislative 29 record or financial record, the agency shall notify any third 30 party that provided the record to the agency, the person that is 20070S0001B1553 - 18 -
1 the subject of the record and the requester. 2 (B) REQUESTS FOR TRADE SECRETS.--AN AGENCY SHALL NOTIFY A <-- 3 THIRD PARTY OF A REQUEST FOR A RECORD IF THE THIRD PARTY 4 PROVIDED THE RECORD AND INCLUDED A WRITTEN STATEMENT SIGNED BY A 5 REPRESENTATIVE OF THE THIRD PARTY THAT THE RECORD CONTAINS A 6 TRADE SECRET OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. 7 NOTIFICATION SHALL BE PROVIDED WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS OF 8 RECEIPT OF THE REQUEST FOR THE RECORD. THE THIRD PARTY SHALL 9 HAVE FIVE BUSINESS DAYS FROM RECEIPT OF NOTIFICATION FROM THE 10 AGENCY TO PROVIDE INPUT ON THE RELEASE OF THE RECORD. THE AGENCY 11 SHALL DENY THE REQUEST FOR THE RECORD OR RELEASE THE RECORD 12 WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS OF THE PROVISION OF NOTICE TO THE THIRD 13 PARTY AND SHALL NOTIFY THE THIRD PARTY OF THE DECISION. 14 Section 708. Exceptions for public records. 15 (a) Burden of proof.--The burden of proving that a public 16 record is exempt from public access shall be on the Commonwealth 17 or local agency receiving a request by a preponderance of the 18 evidence. 19 (b) Exceptions.--In the case of a public record, unless 20 disclosure is otherwise required by law, the following are 21 exempt from access by a requester under this act: 22 (1) A record the disclosure of which: 23 (i) would result in the loss of Federal or State 24 funds by an agency or the Commonwealth; or 25 (ii) would be reasonably likely to result in a 26 substantial and demonstrable risk of physical harm to an 27 individual. 28 (2) A record maintained by an agency in connection with 29 the military, homeland security, national defense, law 30 enforcement or other public safety activity that if disclosed 20070S0001B1553 - 19 -
1 would be reasonably likely to jeopardize or threaten public 2 safety or preparedness or public protection activity or a 3 record that is designated classified by an appropriate 4 Federal or State military authority. 5 (3) A record, the disclosure of which creates a 6 reasonable likelihood of endangering the life, safety or the 7 physical security of a building, public utility, resource, 8 infrastructure, facility or information storage system, which 9 may include: 10 (i) documents or data relating to computer hardware, 11 source files, software and system networks that could 12 jeopardize computer security by exposing a vulnerability 13 in preventing, protecting against, mitigating or 14 responding to a terrorist act; 15 (ii) lists of infrastructure, resources and 16 significant special events, including those defined by 17 the Federal Government in the National Infrastructure 18 Protections, which are deemed critical due to their 19 nature and which result from risk analysis; threat 20 assessments; consequences assessments; antiterrorism 21 protective measures and plans; counterterrorism measures 22 and plans; and security and response needs assessments; 23 and 24 (iii) building plans or infrastructure records that 25 expose or create vulnerability through disclosure of the 26 location, configuration or security of critical systems, 27 including public utility systems, structural elements, 28 technology, communication, electrical, fire suppression, 29 ventilation, water, wastewater, sewage and gas systems. 30 (4) A record regarding computer hardware, software and 20070S0001B1553 - 20 -
1 networks, including administrative or technical records, 2 which, if disclosed, would be reasonably likely to jeopardize 3 computer security. 4 (5) A record of an individual's medical, psychiatric or 5 psychological history or disability status, including 6 evaluation, consultation, a prescription, diagnosis or 7 treatment; results of tests, including drug tests; enrollment 8 in a health care program or program designed for 9 participation by persons with disabilities, including 10 vocation rehabilitation, workers' compensation and 11 unemployment compensation; or related information that would 12 disclose individually identifiable health information. 13 (6) (i) The following personal identification 14 information: 15 (A) A record containing all or part of an 16 individual's Social Security number; driver's license 17 number; personal financial information of an 18 individual; home, cellular or personal telephone 19 number; personal e-mail address; employee number; 20 other personal identification number; or other <-- 21 personal information. 22 (B) A spouse's name; marital status, beneficiary 23 or dependent information. 24 (ii) Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the 25 release of the name, position, salary, actual 26 compensation or other payments or expenses, employment 27 contract, employment-related contract or agreement and <-- 28 length of service of a public official or an agency 29 employee. 30 (iii) An agency may redact the name or other 20070S0001B1553 - 21 -
1 identifying information relating to an individual 2 performing an undercover or covert law enforcement 3 activity from a record. 4 (7) The following records relating to an agency 5 employee: 6 (i) A letter of reference or recommendation 7 pertaining to the character or qualifications of an 8 identifiable individual, unless it was prepared in 9 relation to the appointment of an individual to fill a 10 vacancy in an elected office or an appointed office 11 requiring Senate confirmation. 12 (ii) A performance rating or review. 13 (iii) The result of a civil service or similar test 14 administered by a Commonwealth agency, legislative agency 15 or judicial agency. The result of a civil service or 16 similar test administered by a local agency shall not be 17 disclosed if restricted by a collective bargaining 18 agreement. Only test scores of individuals who obtained a 19 passing score on a test administered by a local agency 20 may be disclosed. 21 (IV) THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO <-- 22 IS NOT HIRED BY THE AGENCY. 23 (iv) (V) Workplace support services program <-- 24 information. 25 (v) (VI) Written criticisms of an employee. <-- 26 (vi) (VII) Grievance material, including documents <-- 27 related to discrimination or sexual harassment. 28 (vii) (VIII) (A) Information regarding discipline, <-- 29 demotion or discharge contained in a personnel file. 30 (B) This subparagraph shall not apply to the 20070S0001B1553 - 22 -
1 results of a disciplinary proceeding or action that <-- 2 results in suspension, FINAL ACTION OF AN AGENCY THAT <-- 3 RESULTS IN demotion or discharge. 4 (8) (i) A record pertaining to strategy or negotiations 5 relating to labor relations or collective bargaining or 6 arbitration award. 7 (ii) This paragraph does not apply to any final or 8 executed contract or agreement or arbitration award 9 between the parties. 10 (9) The draft of a bill, resolution, regulation, 11 statement of policy, management directive, ORDINANCE or <-- 12 amendment thereto prepared by or for an agency. 13 (10) (i) A record that reflects: 14 (A) The internal, predecisional deliberations of 15 an agency, its members, employees or officials or 16 predecisional deliberations between agency members, 17 employees or officials and members, employees or 18 officials of another agency, including predecisional 19 deliberations relating to a budget recommendation, 20 legislative proposal, legislative amendment, 21 contemplated or proposed policy or course of action 22 or any research, memos or other documents used in the 23 predecisional deliberations. 24 (B) The strategy to be used to develop or 25 achieve the successful adoption of a budget, 26 legislative proposal or regulation. 27 (ii) This paragraph applies to: 28 (A) The Governor's Office, the head of a 29 Commonwealth agency and the staff of the Governor or 30 agency. 20070S0001B1553 - 23 -
1 (B) The chief executive officer or governing 2 body of a local agency, or a member or staff of the 3 local agency prior to the presentation of the 4 decision, policy, proposal or course of action to a 5 quorum of the governing body. 6 (iii) This paragraph does not apply to a written 7 application or other document used to request 8 Commonwealth funds. 9 (11) A record that constitutes or reveals a trade secret 10 or confidential proprietary information. 11 (12) Notes and working papers prepared by or for a 12 public official or agency employee used solely for that 13 official's or employee's own personal use, including 14 telephone message slips, routing slips and other materials 15 that do not have an official purpose. 16 (13) Records that would disclose the identity of an 17 individual who lawfully makes a donation to an agency unless 18 the donation is intended for or restricted to providing 19 remuneration or personal tangible benefit to a named public 20 official or employee of the agency, including lists of 21 potential donors compiled by an agency to pursue donations, 22 donor profile information or personal identifying information 23 relating to a donor. 24 (14) Unpublished lecture notes, unpublished manuscripts, 25 unpublished articles, creative works in progress, research- 26 related material and scholarly correspondence of a community 27 college or an institution of the State System of Higher 28 Education or a faculty member, staff employee, guest speaker 29 or student thereof. 30 (15) Examination questions, scoring keys or answers to 20070S0001B1553 - 24 -
1 an examination. 2 (16) A record of an agency relating to or resulting in a 3 criminal investigation, including: 4 (i) Complaints of potential criminal conduct other 5 than a private criminal complaint. 6 (ii) Investigative materials, notes, correspondence 7 and reports. 8 (iii) A record that includes the identity of a 9 confidential source or the identity of a suspect who has 10 not been charged with an offense to whom confidentiality 11 has been promised. 12 (iv) A record that includes information made 13 confidential by law or court order. 14 (v) Victim information, including any information 15 that would jeopardize the safety of the victim. 16 (vi) A record that, if disclosed, would do any of 17 the following: 18 (A) Reveal the institution, progress or result 19 of a criminal investigation, except the filing of 20 criminal charges. 21 (B) Deprive a person of the right to a fair 22 trial or an impartial adjudication. 23 (C) Impair the ability to locate a defendant or 24 codefendant. 25 (D) Hinder an agency's ability to secure an 26 arrest, prosecution or conviction. 27 (E) Endanger the life or physical safety of an 28 individual. 29 (17) A record of an agency relating to a noncriminal 30 investigation, including: 20070S0001B1553 - 25 -
1 (i) Complaints submitted to an agency. 2 (ii) Investigative materials, notes, correspondence 3 and reports. 4 (iii) A record that includes the identity of a 5 confidential source, including individuals subject to the 6 act of December 12, 1986 (P.L.1559, No.169), known as the 7 Whistleblower Law. 8 (iv) A record that includes information made 9 confidential by law or court order. 10 (v) Work papers underlying an audit. 11 (vi) A record that, if disclosed, would do any of 12 the following: 13 (A) Reveal the institution, progress or result 14 of an agency investigation, except the imposition of 15 a fine or civil penalty or the suspension, 16 modification or revocation of a license, permit, 17 registration, certification or similar authorization 18 issued by an agency. 19 (B) Deprive a person of the right to an 20 impartial adjudication. 21 (C) Constitute an unwarranted invasion of 22 privacy. 23 (D) Hinder an agency's ability to secure an 24 administrative or civil sanction. 25 (E) Endanger the life or physical safety of an 26 individual. 27 (18) 911 recordings. 28 (19) DNA records. 29 (20) Any part of an autopsy record or other official <-- 30 record AN AUTOPSY RECORD of a coroner or medical examiner <-- 20070S0001B1553 - 26 -
1 that is an AND ANY audiotape of a postmortem examination or <-- 2 autopsy, or a copy, reproduction or facsimile of a 3 photograph, negative or print, including a photograph or 4 videotape of the body or any portion of the body of a 5 deceased person taken by or for the coroner or medical <-- 6 examiner at the scene of death or in the course of a 7 postmortem examination or autopsy TAKEN OR made by or caused <-- 8 to be TAKEN OR made by the coroner or medical examiner. THIS <-- 9 EXCEPTION SHALL NOT LIMIT THE REPORTING OF THE NAME OF THE 10 DECEASED INDIVIDUAL, THE CAUSE OF DEATH AND WHETHER THE DEATH 11 WAS CAUSED BY CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE IN 12 ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1251 OF THE ACT OF AUGUST 9, 1955 13 (P.L.323, NO.130), KNOWN AS THE COUNTY CODE. 14 (21) Minutes of an executive session and any record of 15 discussions held in executive session. 16 (22) (i) The contents of real estate appraisals, 17 engineering or feasibility estimates, environmental 18 reviews, audits or evaluations made for or by an agency 19 relative to the following: 20 (A) The leasing, acquiring or disposing of real 21 property. 22 (B) The purchase of public supplies or equipment 23 included in the real estate transaction. 24 (C) Construction projects. 25 (ii) This paragraph does not apply once the decision 26 is made to proceed with the lease, acquisition or 27 disposal of real property or the purchase of public 28 supply or construction project. 29 (23) Library and archive circulation and order records 30 of an identifiable individual or groups of individuals. 20070S0001B1553 - 27 -
1 (24) Library archived and museum materials, or valuable 2 or rare book collections or documents contributed by gift, 3 grant, bequest or devise, to the extent of any limitations 4 imposed by the donor as a condition of the contribution. 5 (25) A record identifying the location of an 6 archeological site or an endangered or threatened plant or 7 animal species if not already known to the general public. 8 (26) A proposal pertaining to agency procurement or 9 disposal of supplies, services or construction prior to the 10 award of the contract or prior to the opening and rejection 11 of all bids; financial information of a bidder or offeror 12 requested in an invitation for bid or request for proposals 13 to demonstrate the bidder's or offeror's economic capability; 14 or the identity of members, notes and other records of agency 15 proposal evaluation committees established under 62 Pa.C.S. § 16 513 (relating to competitive sealed proposals). 17 (27) A record or information relating to a communication 18 between an agency and its insurance carrier, administrative 19 service organization or risk management office. This 20 paragraph does not apply to a contract with an insurance 21 carrier, administrative service organization or risk 22 management office or to financial records relating to the 23 provision of insurance. 24 (28) A record or information: 25 (i) identifying an individual who applies for or 26 receives social services; or 27 (ii) relating to the following: 28 (A) the type of social services received by an 29 individual; 30 (B) an individual's application to receive 20070S0001B1553 - 28 -
1 social services, including a record or information 2 related to an agency decision to grant, deny, reduce 3 or restrict benefits, including a quasi-judicial 4 decision of the agency and the identity of a 5 caregiver or others who provide services to the 6 individual; or 7 (C) eligibility to receive social benefits, 8 including the individual's income, assets, physical 9 or mental health, age, disability, family 10 circumstances or record of abuse. 11 (c) Financial records.--The exceptions set forth in 12 subsection (b) shall not apply to financial records, except for 13 financial records protected under subsection (b)(1), (2), (3) or 14 (4), personal financial information or individual medical 15 information under subsection (b)(5). An agency may redact that 16 portion of a financial record which would disclose information 17 protected by subsection (b)(6) or disclose the identity of a 18 crime victim, confidential source or an individual performing an 19 undercover or covert law enforcement activity under subsection 20 (b)(16) or (17). 21 (d) Aggregated data.--The exceptions set forth in subsection 22 (b) shall not apply to aggregated data, maintained or received 23 by an agency, except for data protected under subsection (b)(1), 24 (2), (3) or (4). 25 CHAPTER 9 26 AGENCY RESPONSE 27 Section 901. General rule. 28 Upon receipt of a written request for access to a record, an 29 agency shall make a good faith effort to determine if the record 30 requested is a public record, legislative record or financial 20070S0001B1553 - 29 -
1 record and whether the agency has possession, custody or control 2 of the identified record, and to respond as promptly as possible 3 under the circumstances existing at the time of the request. The 4 time for response shall not exceed five business days from the 5 date the written request is received by the agency head or open- 6 records officer for an agency. If the agency fails to send the 7 response within five business days of receipt of the written 8 request for access, the written request for access shall be 9 deemed denied. 10 Section 902. Extension of time. 11 (a) Determination.--Upon receipt of a written request for 12 access, the open-records officer for an agency shall determine 13 if one of the following applies: 14 (1) the request for access requires redaction of a 15 record in accordance with section 706; 16 (2) the request for access requires the retrieval of a 17 record stored in a remote location; 18 (3) a timely response to the request for access cannot 19 be accomplished due to bona fide and specified staffing 20 limitations; 21 (4) a legal review is necessary to determine whether the 22 record is a record subject to access under this act; 23 (5) the requester has not complied with the Commonwealth 24 agency's policies regarding access to records; 25 (6) the requester refuses to pay applicable fees 26 authorized by this act; or 27 (7) the extent or nature of the request precludes a 28 response within the required time period. 29 (b) Notice.-- 30 (1) Upon a determination that one of the factors listed 20070S0001B1553 - 30 -
1 in subsection (a) applies, the open-records officer shall 2 send written notice to the requester within five business 3 days of receipt of the request for access under subsection 4 (a). 5 (2) The notice shall include a statement notifying the 6 requester that the request for access is being reviewed, the 7 reason for the review and a reasonable date that a response 8 is expected to be provided. If the date that a response is 9 expected to be provided is in excess of 30 days, following 10 the five business days allowed for in section 901, the 11 request for access shall be deemed denied unless the 12 requester has agreed in writing for an extension to the date 13 specified in the notice. 14 (3) If the requester agrees to the extension, the 15 request shall be deemed denied on the day following the date 16 specified in the notice if the agency has not provided a 17 response by that date. 18 Section 903. Denial. 19 If an agency's response is a denial of a written request for 20 access, whether in whole or in part, a written response shall be 21 issued and include: 22 (1) A description of the record requested. 23 (2) The specific reasons for the denial, including a 24 citation of supporting legal authority. 25 (3) The typed or printed name, title, business address, 26 business telephone number and signature of the agency head or 27 open-records officer on whose authority the denial is issued. 28 (4) Date of the response. 29 (5) The procedure to appeal the denial of access under 30 this act. 20070S0001B1553 - 31 -
1 Section 904. Certified copies. 2 If an agency's response grants a request for access, the 3 agency shall, upon request, provide the requester with a 4 certified copy of the record if the requester pays the 5 applicable fees pursuant to section 1307. 6 CHAPTER 11 7 APPEAL OF AGENCY DETERMINATION 8 Section 1101. Filing of appeal. 9 (a) Authorization.-- 10 (1) If a written request for access is denied or deemed 11 denied, the requester may file an appeal with the 12 clearinghouse or other appropriate appeals officer within 15 13 business days of the mailing date of the agency's response or 14 within 15 business days of a deemed denial. The appeal shall 15 state the grounds upon which the requester asserts that the 16 record is a public record, legislative record or financial 17 record and shall address any grounds stated by the agency for 18 delaying or denying the request. 19 (2) In the case of an appeal of a decision by a 20 Commonwealth agency or local agency, the clearinghouse shall 21 assign an appeals officer to review the denial. 22 (b) Determination.-- 23 (1) Unless the requester agrees otherwise, the appeals 24 officer shall make a final determination which shall be 25 mailed to the requester and the agency within 30 days of 26 receipt of the appeal filed under subsection (a). 27 (2) If the appeals officer fails to issue a final 28 determination within 30 days, the appeal is deemed denied. 29 (3) Prior to issuing a final determination, a hearing 30 may be conducted. The determination by the appeals officer 20070S0001B1553 - 32 -
1 shall be a final order. The appeals officer shall provide a 2 written explanation of the reason for the decision to the 3 requester and the agency. 4 (c) Direct interest.-- 5 (1) A person other than the agency or requester with a 6 direct interest in the record subject to an appeal under this 7 section may, within 15 calendar days following receipt of 8 actual knowledge of the appeal but no later than the date the 9 appeals officer issues an order, file a written request to 10 provide information or appear before the appeals officer or 11 to file information in support of the requester's or agency's 12 position. 13 (2) The appeals officer may grant the request if: 14 (i) no hearing has been held; 15 (ii) the office has not yet issued its order; and 16 (iii) the appeals officer believes the information 17 will be probative. 18 (3) Copies of the written request shall be sent to the 19 agency and the requester. 20 Section 1102. Appeals officers. 21 (a) Scope.--This section applies to all agencies. 22 (b) Duties.--The appeals officer shall do all of the 23 following: 24 (1) Set a schedule for the requester and the open- 25 records officer to submit documents in support of their 26 positions. 27 (2) Review all information filed relating to the 28 request. The appeals officer may hold a hearing. A decision 29 to hold or not to hold a hearing is not appealable. The 30 appeals officer may admit into evidence testimony, evidence 20070S0001B1553 - 33 -
1 and documents that the appeals officer believes to be 2 reasonably probative and relevant to an issue in dispute. The 3 appeals officer may limit the nature and extent of evidence 4 found to be cumulative. 5 (3) Consult with agency counsel as appropriate. 6 (4) Issue a final determination on behalf of the agency. 7 (c) Procedures.--The clearinghouse, a judicial agency or a 8 legislative agency may adopt procedures relating to appeals 9 under this chapter. 10 (1) If an appeal is resolved without a hearing, 1 Pa. 11 Code Pt. II (relating to general rules of administrative 12 practice and procedure) does not apply except to the extent 13 that the clearinghouse, legislative agency or judicial agency 14 has adopted these chapters in its regulations or rules. 15 (2) If a hearing is held, 1 Pa. Code Pt. II shall apply 16 unless the clearinghouse, the judicial agency or the 17 legislative agency has adopted regulations or rules to the 18 contrary. 19 (3) In the absence of a regulation or rule governing 20 appeals under this chapter, the appeals officer shall rule on 21 procedural matters on the basis of justice, fairness and the 22 expeditious resolution of the dispute. 23 CHAPTER 13 24 JUDICIAL REVIEW 25 Section 1301. Commonwealth agencies, legislative agencies and 26 judicial agencies. 27 (a) General rule.--Within 30 days of the mailing date of the 28 final determination of the appeals officer relating to a 29 decision of a Commonwealth agency, a legislative agency or a 30 judicial agency issued under section 1103 or the date a request 20070S0001B1553 - 34 -
1 for access is deemed denied, a requester or the agency may file 2 a petition for review or other document as might be required by 3 rule of court with the Commonwealth Court. The decision of the 4 court shall contain findings of fact and conclusions of law 5 based upon the evidence as a whole. The decision shall clearly 6 and concisely explain the rationale for the decision. 7 (b) Stay.--A Commonwealth agency, legislative agency or <-- 8 judicial agency may request a stay of the release of records 9 from a court pending appeal. 10 (B) STAY.--AN APPEAL UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL STAY THE <-- 11 RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS UNTIL A DECISION UNDER SUBSECTION (A) IS 12 ISSUED. 13 Section 1302. Local agencies. 14 (a) General rule.--Within 30 days of the mailing date of the 15 final determination of the appeals officer relating to a 16 decision of a local agency issued under section 1103 or of the 17 date a request for access is deemed denied, a requester or local 18 agency may file a petition for review or other document as 19 required by rule of court with the court of common pleas for the 20 county where the local agency is located. The decision of the 21 court shall contain findings of fact and conclusions of law 22 based upon the evidence as a whole. The decision shall clearly 23 and concisely explain the rationale for the decision. 24 (b) Stay.--A local agency may request a stay of the release <-- 25 of records from a court pending appeal. 26 (B) STAY.--AN APPEAL UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL STAY THE <-- 27 RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS UNTIL A DECISION UNDER SUBSECTION (A) IS 28 ISSUED. 29 Section 1303. Notice and records. 30 (a) Notice.--An agency, the requester and the appeals 20070S0001B1553 - 35 -
1 officer shall be served notice of actions commenced in 2 accordance with section 1301 or 1302 and shall have an 3 opportunity to respond in accordance with applicable court 4 rules. 5 (b) Record on appeal.--The record before a court shall 6 consist of the request, the agency's response, the appeal filed 7 under section 1101, the hearing transcript, if any, and the 8 final written determination of the appeals officer. 9 Section 1304. Court costs and attorney fees. 10 (a) Reversal of agency determination.--If a court reverses 11 the final determination of the appeals officer or grants access 12 after a request for access was deemed denied, the court may 13 award reasonable attorney fees and costs of litigation or an 14 appropriate portion thereof to a requester if the court finds 15 either of the following: 16 (1) the agency receiving the original request willfully 17 or with wanton disregard deprived the requester of access to 18 a public record subject to access OR OTHERWISE ACTED IN BAD <-- 19 FAITH under the provisions of this act; or 20 (2) the exemptions, exclusions or defenses asserted by 21 the agency in its final determination were not based on a 22 reasonable interpretation of law. 23 (b) Sanctions for frivolous requests or appeals.--The court 24 may award reasonable attorney fees and costs of litigation or an 25 appropriate portion thereof to an agency or the requester if the 26 court finds that the legal challenge under this chapter was 27 frivolous. 28 (c) Other sanctions.--Nothing in this act shall prohibit a 29 court from imposing penalties and costs in accordance with 30 applicable rules of court. 20070S0001B1553 - 36 -
1 Section 1305. Penalties CIVIL PENALTY. <-- 2 (a) Summary offense.--An agency or public official who <-- 3 intentionally or knowingly violates this act commits a summary 4 offense subject to prosecution by the Attorney General or the 5 appropriate district attorney and shall, upon conviction for an 6 initial offense, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than 7 $1,000 plus costs of prosecution and upon conviction for a 8 subsequent offense, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than 9 $2,000 plus cost of prosecution. 10 (b) Civil penalty.-- 11 (1) A court may impose a civil penalty of not more than 12 (A) DENIAL OF ACCESS.--A COURT MAY IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY OF <-- 13 NOT MORE THAN $1,000 if an agency denied access to a public 14 record in bad faith. 15 (2) An agency or public official who does not promptly <-- 16 (B) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH COURT ORDER.--AN AGENCY OR PUBLIC <-- 17 OFFICIAL WHO DOES NOT PROMPTLY comply with a court order under 18 this act is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $500 per 19 day until the public records are provided. 20 Section 1306. Immunity. 21 (a) General rule.--Except as provided in sections 1304 and 22 1305 and other statutes governing the release of records, no 23 agency, public official or public employee shall be liable for 24 civil or criminal damages or penalties resulting from compliance 25 or failure to comply with this act. 26 (b) Schedules.--No agency, public official or public 27 employee shall be liable for civil or criminal damages or 28 penalties under this act for complying with any written public 29 record retention and disposition schedule. 30 Section 1307. Fee limitations. 20070S0001B1553 - 37 -
1 (a) Postage.--Fees for postage may not exceed the actual
2 cost of mailing.
3 (b) Duplication.--
4 (1) Fees for duplication by photocopying, printing from
5 electronic media or microfilm, copying onto electronic media,
6 transmission by facsimile or other electronic means and other
7 means of duplication shall be established:
8 (i) by the clearinghouse, for Commonwealth agencies
9 and local agencies;
10 (ii) by each judicial agency; and
11 (iii) by each legislative agency.
12 (2) The fees must be reasonable and based on prevailing
13 fees for comparable duplication services provided by local
14 copying services. BUSINESS ENTITIES. <--
15 (3) FEES FOR LOCAL AGENCIES MAY REFLECT REGIONAL PRICE
16 DIFFERENCES.
17 (c) Certification.--An agency may impose reasonable fees for
18 official certification of copies if the certification is at the
19 behest of the requester and for the purpose of legally verifying
20 the public record.
21 (d) Conversion to paper.--If a record is only maintained
22 electronically or in other nonpaper media, duplication fees
23 shall be limited to the lesser of the fee for duplication on
24 paper or the fee for duplication in the original media as
25 provided by subsection (b) unless the requester specifically
26 requests for the record to be duplicated in the more expensive
27 medium.
28 (e) Enhanced electronic access.--If an agency offers
29 enhanced electronic access to records in addition to making the
30 records accessible for inspection and duplication by a requester
20070S0001B1553 - 38 -
1 as required by this act, the agency may establish user fees 2 specifically for the provision of the enhanced electronic 3 access, but only to the extent that the enhanced electronic 4 access is in addition to making the records accessible for 5 inspection and duplication by a requester as required by this 6 act. The user fees for enhanced electronic access may be a flat 7 rate, a subscription fee for a period of time, a per-transaction 8 fee, a fee based on the cumulative time of system access or any 9 other reasonable method and any combination thereof. The user 10 fees for enhanced electronic access must be reasonable, must be 11 approved by the clearinghouse and may not be established with 12 the intent or effect of excluding persons from access to records 13 or duplicates thereof or of creating profit for the agency. 14 (f) Waiver of fees.--An agency may waive the fees for 15 duplication of a record, including, but not limited to, when: 16 (1) the requester duplicates the record; or 17 (2) the agency deems it is in the public interest to do 18 so. 19 (g) Limitations.--Except as otherwise provided by statute, 20 no other fees may be imposed unless the agency necessarily 21 incurs costs for complying with the request, and such fees must 22 be reasonable. No fee may be imposed for an agency's review of a 23 record to determine whether the record is a public record, 24 legislative record or financial record subject to access in 25 accordance with this act. 26 (h) Prepayment.--Prior to granting a request for access in 27 accordance with this act, an agency may require a requester to 28 prepay an estimate of the fees authorized under this section if 29 the fees required to fulfill the request are expected to exceed 30 $100. 20070S0001B1553 - 39 -
1 Section 1308. Prohibition. 2 A policy, rule or regulation adopted under this act may not 3 include any of the following: 4 (1) A limitation on the number of records which may be 5 requested or made available for inspection or duplication. 6 (2) A requirement to disclose the purpose or motive in 7 requesting access to records. 8 Section 1309. Practice and procedure. 9 The provisions of 2 Pa.C.S. (relating to administrative law 10 and procedure) shall not apply to this act unless specifically 11 adopted by rule or regulation. 12 Section 1310. Clearinghouse. 13 The Department of Community and Economic Development shall <-- 14 establish an Open Records Clearinghouse within the department. 15 The clearinghouse shall do all of the following: 16 (A) ESTABLISHMENT.--THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE <-- 17 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AN OPEN RECORDS 18 CLEARINGHOUSE. THE CLEARINGHOUSE SHALL DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING: 19 (1) Provide information relating to the implementation 20 and enforcement of this act. 21 (2) Issue advisory opinions to agencies and requesters. 22 (3) Provide annual training courses to agencies ON THIS <-- 23 ACT AND 65 PA.C.S. CH. 7 (RELATING TO OPEN MEETINGS). 24 (4) Provide annual, regional training courses to local 25 agencies. 26 (5) Review appeals of decisions by Commonwealth agencies 27 or local agencies EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 503(D) filed <-- 28 under section 1101 and issue orders and opinions. The 29 clearinghouse shall employ or contract with attorneys or <-- 30 other individuals to serve as appeals officers to review 20070S0001B1553 - 40 -
1 appeals and, if necessary, to hold hearings on a regional
2 basis under this act. Each appeals officer must comply with
3 all of the following:
4 (i) Complete a training course provided by the
5 clearinghouse prior to acting as an appeals officer.
6 (ii) If a hearing is necessary, hold hearings
7 regionally as necessary to ensure access to the remedies
8 provided by this act.
9 (iii) Comply with the procedures under section
10 1102(b).
11 (6) Establish an informal mediation program to resolve
12 disputes under this act.
13 (7) Establish an Internet website with information
14 relating to this act, including advisory opinions and
15 decisions and the name and address of all open records
16 officers in this Commonwealth.
17 (8) CONDUCT A BIANNUAL REVIEW OF FEES CHARGED UNDER THIS <--
18 ACT.
19 (8) (9) Annually report on its activities and findings <--
20 to the Governor and the General Assembly. The report shall be
21 posted and maintained on the Internet website established
22 under paragraph (7).
23 (B) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.--THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT AN <--
24 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CLEARINGHOUSE WHO SHALL SERVE FOR A
25 TERM OF SIX YEARS. COMPENSATION SHALL BE SET BY THE EXECUTIVE
26 BOARD ESTABLISHED UNDER SECTION 204 OF THE ACT OF APRIL 9, 1929
27 (P.L.177, NO.175), KNOWN AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1929. THE
28 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAY SERVE NO MORE THAN TWO TERMS.
29 (C) LIMITATION.--THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL NOT SEEK
30 ELECTION NOR ACCEPT APPOINTMENT TO ANY POLITICAL OFFICE DURING
20070S0001B1553 - 41 -
1 HIS TENURE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOR ONE YEAR THEREAFTER. 2 (D) STAFFING.--THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL APPOINT 3 ATTORNEYS TO ACT AS APPEALS OFFICERS AND ADDITIONAL CLERICAL, 4 TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE AND MAY 5 CONTRACT FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES AS NECESSARY FOR THE 6 PERFORMANCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S FUNCTION. THE 7 COMPENSATION OF ATTORNEYS AND OTHER STAFF SHALL BE SET BY THE 8 EXECUTIVE BOARD. 9 (E) DUTIES.--THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL ENSURE THAT THE 10 DUTIES OF THE CLEARINGHOUSE ARE CARRIED OUT AND SHALL MONITOR 11 CASES APPEALED TO THE CLEARINGHOUSE. 12 (F) APPROPRIATION.--THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE CLEARINGHOUSE 13 SHALL BE IN A SEPARATE LINE ITEM AND SHALL BE UNDER THE 14 JURISDICTION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. 15 CHAPTER 15 16 STATE-RELATED INSTITUTIONS 17 Section 1501. Definition. 18 As used in this chapter, "State-related institution" means 19 any of the following: 20 (1) Temple University. 21 (2) The University of Pittsburgh. 22 (3) The Pennsylvania State University. 23 (4) Lincoln University. 24 Section 1502. Reporting. 25 No later than May 30 of each year, a State-related 26 institution shall file with the Governor's Office, the General 27 Assembly, the Auditor General and the State Library the 28 information set forth in section 1503. 29 Section 1503. Contents of report. 30 The report required under section 1502 shall include the 20070S0001B1553 - 42 -
1 following: 2 (1) Except as provided in paragraph (4), all information 3 required by Form 990 or an equivalent form, of the United 4 States Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, 5 entitled the Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, 6 regardless of whether the State-related institution is 7 required to file the form by the Federal Government. 8 (2) The salaries of all officers and directors of the 9 State-related institution. 10 (3) The highest 25 salaries paid to employees of the 11 institution that are not included under paragraph (2). 12 (4) The report shall not include information relating to 13 individual donors. 14 Section 1504. Copies and posting. 15 A State-related institution shall maintain, for at least 16 seven years, a copy of the report in the institution's library 17 and shall provide free access to the report on the institution's 18 Internet website. 19 CHAPTER 17 20 STATE CONTRACT INFORMATION 21 Section 1701. Submission and retention of contracts. 22 (a) General rule.--Whenever any Commonwealth agency, 23 legislative agency or judicial agency shall enter into any 24 contract involving any property, real, personal or mixed of any 25 kind or description or any contract for personal services where 26 the consideration involved in the contract is $5,000 or more, a 27 copy of the contract shall be furnished to the Treasury 28 Department within ten days after the contract is executed on 29 behalf of the Commonwealth agency, legislative agency or 30 judicial agency or otherwise becomes an obligation of the 20070S0001B1553 - 43 -
1 Commonwealth agency, legislative agency or judicial agency. THE <-- 2 PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO CONTRACTS FOR 3 SERVICES PROTECTED BY A PRIVILEGE. THE FOLLOWING SHALL APPLY: 4 (1) Each Commonwealth agency, legislative agency and 5 judicial agency shall submit contracts in a form and 6 structure mutually agreed upon by the Commonwealth agency, 7 legislative agency or judicial agency and the State 8 Treasurer. 9 (2) The Treasury Department may require each 10 Commonwealth agency, legislative agency or judicial agency to 11 provide a summary with each contract, which shall include the 12 following: 13 (i) Date of execution. 14 (ii) Amount of the contract. 15 (iii) Length BEGINNING DATE of the contract. <-- 16 (IV) END DATE OF THE CONTRACT, IF APPLICABLE. <-- 17 (iv) (V) Name of the agency entering into the <-- 18 contract. 19 (v) (VI) All parties involved in TO the contract. <-- 20 (vi) (VII) Subject matter of the contract. <-- 21 EACH AGENCY SHALL CREATE AND MAINTAIN THE DATA UNDER THIS <-- 22 PARAGRAPH IN AN ASCII-DELIMITED TEXT FORMAT, SPREADSHEET 23 FORMAT OR OTHER FORMAT PROVIDED BY REGULATION. 24 (b) Retention.--Every contract filed pursuant to subsection 25 (a) shall remain on file with the Treasury Department for a 26 period of not less than four years after all disbursements have <-- 27 been made on the contracts. THE END DATE OF THE CONTRACT. <-- 28 (c) Accuracy.--Each Commonwealth agency, legislative agency 29 and judicial agency is responsible for verifying the accuracy 30 and completeness of the information that it submits to the State 20070S0001B1553 - 44 -
1 Treasurer. 2 Section 1702. Public availability of contracts. 3 (a) General rule.--The Treasury Department shall make each 4 contract filed pursuant to section 1701 available for public 5 inspection either by posting a complete copy of the contract on <-- 6 the Treasury Department's publicly accessible Internet website 7 or by posting a contract summary on the department's publicly 8 accessible Internet website. 9 (b) Posting.--The Treasury Department shall post the 10 information received pursuant to this chapter in a way that 11 allows the public to search contracts or contract summaries by 12 the categories enumerated in section 1701(a)(2). 13 (c) Request to review or receive copy of contract.--The 14 Treasury Department shall maintain a page on its publicly 15 accessible Internet website with instructions on how to request 16 to review a contract and how to request a copy of a contract. 17 Requests to review or receive a copy of a contract shall be 18 allowed by letter, facsimile or e-mail. Additionally, both 19 requests shall be honored within five days of the submission of 20 the request and in the case of a request for a copy of a 21 contract it shall be provided to the individual at cost. The 22 Treasury Department may offer to provide a copy of the requested 23 contract electronically to the requester at no cost. 24 Section 1703. Commercial use of data prohibited. <-- 25 It shall be unlawful for any person to use the contents of 26 the posting of information under this chapter for any commercial 27 purpose whatsoever. 28 CHAPTER 31 29 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 30 Section 3101. Applicability. 20070S0001B1553 - 45 -
1 This act applies as follows:
2 (1) This act shall apply to requests filed after the
3 effective date of this section.
4 (2) Chapter 15 shall apply to fiscal years beginning
5 after June 30, 2008.
6 (3) CHAPTER 17 SHALL APPLY TO CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO OR <--
7 RENEWED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.
8 (3) (4) Section 3102(1)(ii)(B) shall apply to bids <--
9 submitted on or after the effective date of this section.
10 Section 3102. Repeals.
11 Repeals are as follows:
12 (1) (i) General Assembly declares that the repeals
13 under subparagraph (ii) are necessary to effectuate this
14 act.
15 (ii) The following acts and parts of acts are
16 repealed:
17 (A) The act of June 21, 1957 (P.L.390, No.212),
18 referred to as the Right-to-Know Law.
19 (B) 62 Pa.C.S. § 106.
20 (2) (i) The General Assembly declares that the repeal
21 under subparagraph (ii) is necessary to effectuate
22 Chapter 17.
23 (ii) Section 1104 of the act of April 9, 1929
24 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of
25 1929, is repealed.
26 Section 3103. Effective date.
27 This act shall take effect in 180 days.
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