Shawn Stephenson

Washington State public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are broadly accessible to the public under the Public Records Act (PRA), codified at RCW Chapter 42.56. The law establishes a strong presumption that all government records are open unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Washington’s PRA … Read more

Michigan public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are generally accessible to the public under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL 15.231 et seq. (Act 442 of 1976). The law provides that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding … Read more

North Carolina public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are generally accessible to the public under the North Carolina Public Records Law, codified at N.C. General Statutes Chapter 132. The law declares that the public records and public information compiled by agencies of North Carolina government … Read more

Georgia public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are generally accessible to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act (ORA), codified at O.C.G.A. §§ 50-18-70 through 50-18-77. The law declares a strong public policy in favor of open government and establishes a presumption that all … Read more

Illinois public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are generally accessible to the public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq. Originally enacted in 1984 and substantially overhauled in 2010, FOIA establishes a presumption that all records in … Read more

Pennsylvania public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are generally accessible to the public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), codified at 65 Pa. C.S. §§67.101–67.3104. Enacted in its current form in 2008 and effective January 1, 2009, the RTKL establishes a presumption that all state … Read more

New York public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are generally accessible to the public under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified at New York Public Officers Law §§84–90. The law establishes a presumption that all government records are open to any person … Read more

Florida public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are available for public inspection under the Florida Public Records Law, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes — one of the oldest and most expansive open government laws in the United States. Enacted in 1909, Chapter 119 establishes a presumption … Read more

California public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are generally accessible to the public under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), currently codified at California Government Code §7920.000 et seq. (Division 10, Title 1). The law, originally signed by Governor Ronald Reagan in 1968 and recodified … Read more