Senate Bill No. 394, identified as File No. 432, proposes an amendment to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) specifically concerning public higher education institutions. The bill seeks to establish an exemption from disclosure for records maintained or kept on file by or for the faculty or staff of these institutions that arise from teaching or research activities. The types of research covered include medical, artistic, scientific, legal, or other scholarly issues, and the exemption also applies to records of legal clinics or centers. However, the bill explicitly states that financial records of such institutions are not included in this exemption.

The bill is set to become effective on July 1, 2024. The fiscal impact statement attached to the bill indicates that there will be no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities as a result of this legislation. The bill analysis clarifies that the exemption is intended to protect certain educational and research records from public disclosure under FOIA, while maintaining transparency for the financial records of public higher education institutions. The bill has been reported favorably by the Committee on Government Administration and Elections with a vote of 13 in favor and 6 against.