The proposed bill amends the Access to Public Records Act in Chapter 38-2 to enhance transparency while protecting individual privacy. It introduces a new purpose statement emphasizing the dual importance of public access and individual dignity, and expands the definitions section to include police departments of private educational institutions. Key changes include the removal of specific exemptions for electronic mail messages related to elected officials, while maintaining confidentiality for medical information and attorney-client communications. The bill also opens pension records for public inspection, protects personal identifiers, and clarifies that police reports of non-arrest incidents are not automatically exempt from disclosure, thereby promoting greater transparency in law enforcement.

Additionally, the bill modifies the costs associated with accessing public records, reducing the maximum charge for copied pages from $0.15 to $0.05 and capping hourly search fees at $15, with the first two hours free. It mandates public bodies to provide cost estimates and itemized charges, while allowing for fee waivers if the requester demonstrates public interest. The bill increases civil fines for violations, raising the maximum fine for willful violations from $2,000 to $4,000, and introduces daily fines for improper withholding of records. It also establishes that settlement agreements involving governmental entities are public records and requires the Attorney General to publish findings and decisions on a searchable website. Overall, the bill aims to improve public access to government records and enhance accountability while balancing privacy concerns.

Statutes affected:
909: 39-21.1-17