The proposed bill amends the Inspection of Public Records Act to enhance protections for victims of crimes and accidents by prohibiting the solicitation of victims through law enforcement records. It requires requesters to certify in writing that the records will not be used for solicitation purposes and introduces a definition of "commercial purpose." Requesters intending to use records for commercial purposes must also provide certification of this intention. Public bodies are permitted to charge fees for the time spent preparing records for commercial use and must provide an estimated fee to the requester. The bill also establishes a process for handling denied requests, including a timeline for public bodies to respond and limits enforcement actions to within two years of the notice of violation.

Additionally, the bill creates an "Inspection of Public Records Task Force" to review and recommend improvements to the Act. This task force will include representatives from various sectors, chaired by the attorney general or their designee, and will operate from July 1, 2025, until January 1, 2026. The task force's objectives include exploring alternative enforcement options, recommending the use of ombuds to assist requesters and public bodies, standardizing procedures for inspecting public records, and investigating potential misuse of the Act. It is required to submit legislative recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 15, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 14-2A-1, 14-2-6, 14-2-8, 14-2-9, 14-2-11, 14-2-12