Shawn Stephenson
Maryland public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by public agencies that are accessible to any person under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified at General Provisions Article, §§ 4-101 through 4-601, Annotated Code of Maryland. The MPIA, enacted in 1970 and similar in purpose to the federal Freedom of Information Act, … Read more
Missouri public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by public governmental bodies that are accessible to any person under the Missouri Sunshine Law, codified at Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo). The law declares it the public policy of the state that “meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public … Read more
Indiana public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3. The law declares it the public policy of Indiana that “all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding … Read more
Wisconsin public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by state and local officials that are accessible to any person under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, codified at Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31 through 19.39. The law establishes one of the strongest presumptions of openness in the country — the Wisconsin Supreme Court has noted … Read more
Minnesota public records are government-created data, documents, files, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), codified at Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13. Unlike most states’ open records laws — which focus on what records agencies must release — the MGDPA takes … Read more
Tennessee public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to citizens of Tennessee under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-501 et seq. The law establishes a strong presumption of openness — all state, county, and municipal records shall … Read more
New Jersey public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), codified at N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 through 47:1A-13. The law establishes a presumption that government records are accessible unless a specific exemption applies, and it creates the … Read more
Colorado public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified at C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 24-72-206. The law establishes a presumption that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable … Read more
Arizona public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Arizona Public Records Law, codified at A.R.S. §§ 39-121 through 39-161. The law establishes a broad presumption of openness — any person may inspect public records at all times during office … Read more
Virginia public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to citizens of the Commonwealth under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified at Virginia Code §§ 2.2-3700 through 2.2-3714. The law establishes a presumption that all public records are open to inspection and copying … Read more