Archive for Public Records Category
Posted In: Municipal Law, Public Records
New Year Launches New Public Records Law and Regulations
The New Year marks the effective date for most provisions of the new Massachusetts Public Records Law, and new public records regulations promulgated by the Supervisor of Public Records. A…
Posted In: Public Records
What Municipalities Need to Know About the Draft Public Records Regulations
The Supervisor of Public Records released draft regulations to implement the new Public Records Law on September 13. Government entities should keep in mind the following dates: The Supervisors is…
Posted In: Public Records, Public Records Requests
Checklist: The Records Access Officer’s Guide to the New Public Records Request Procedures *Updated*
One of the new public records law’s biggest changes is its requirement that municipalities designate at least one Record Access Officer (RAO). By the start of 2017, when the new…
Posted In: Public Records
Cities and Towns Will Have to Reassess Their Litigation Strategies in Light of the New Public Records Law
As Governor Baker noted, complying with the new public records law he signed in early June will require “stretch activity” from Massachusetts cities and towns. The law takes effect in…
Posted In: Public Records
New Public Records Law Raises Stakes for Towns – *Updated*
The House and Senate unanimously voted to pass a public records bill that reconciles a Senate bill that imposed significant burdens on municipalities with a more reasonable House bill from last…
Posted In: Public Records, Public Records Requests
Senate Public Records Bill a Significant Step Backwards; Amendment on Harassing Requests Adopted (UPDATED)
Considerably more onerous than the House public records bill passed in November, the new Senate bill shortens timeframes for compliance, significantly limits the fees municipalities may charge, and creates the potential…
Posted In: Public Records, Public Records Requests
Massachusetts House Passes Compromise Public Records Legislation. Now on to the Senate
In its last formal session in 2015, the Massachusetts House unanimously passed a new public records bill that has been subject to great debate since last spring between public interest…
Posted In: Public Records
Balancing Act: Public Schools Must Protect Student Privacy – While Making Their Records Public on Request
October 23, 2015 – In a case that highlights the difficulties facing custodians of public records, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) has ruled that public schools must turn over…
Posted In: Public Records
Legislature to Vote on an Onerous New Public Records Act
After the summer recess, the Massachusetts House of Representatives is expected to vote on Bill H.3665, “An Act to improve public records,” which would impose time-consuming and expensive compliance obligations…