BILL NUMBER: S8128
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
Creates a time frame for when an agency can take to respond to a FOIL
request.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section 1 amends the public officers law § 89(3).
Section 2 provides an effective date.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
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JUSTIFICATION::
New York's Freedom of Information Law is a vital tool for New Yorkers to
gain access to information that isn't readily available to the public.
Unfortunately, many agencies have effectively decided not to comply with
the law by endlessly extending their time to respond to requests, thus
making the tool ineffective. This bill will require agencies to
acknowledge FOIL requests and produce an approximate date, within a
reasonable time frame, for the request to be approved or denied by. This
bill will ensure that New Yorkers have access to a transparent and
responsive government when it comes to FOIL requests.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
New legislation.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.