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Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act

Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act. Heather Willis Neal Public Access Counselor Brownsburg Police Department February 26, 2008. Access to Public Records Act Basics.

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Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act

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  1. Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act Heather Willis Neal Public Access Counselor Brownsburg Police Department February 26, 2008

  2. Access to Public Records ActBasics • “Providing persons with the information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officials and employees, whose duty it is to provide the information.” • The full text of APRA can be found at I.C. 5-14-3.

  3. Access to Public Records ActBasics • “Public records” are broadly defined: can be summarized as “any material that is created, received, retained, maintained or filed by or with a public agency.” • The Indiana Court of Appeals has added to this definition any material created for or on behalf of a public agency.

  4. Access to Public Records ActBasics • “Copy” includes photocopying as well as making a digital copy using a digital camera or a hand-held scanner. • “Inspect” includes the right to make notes, abstracts and memoranda, or to listen to an audiotape.

  5. Access to Public Records ActBasics • The agency may require a person to submit a request for a public record in writing, on or in a form supplied by the agency. • The agency shall either make the requested copy or allow the person to make a copy on the agency’s equipment or on the person’s own equipment.

  6. Access to Public Records ActBasics • An agency must make reasonable efforts to provide a copy of electronic data to a person if the medium requested is compatible with the agency’s system. • If a record contains disclosable and nondisclosable information, the agency shall separate the disclosable material and make it available.

  7. Access to Public Records ActBasics • Public Agency’s Responsibility • Respond to requests made in person or over telephone within 24 hours of receipt. • Respond to mailed, faxed, or e-mailed requests within 7 calendar days of receipt. • Respond in writing to written requests for records; best practice is to respond to all requests in writing. • Responding is not necessarily producing the record.

  8. Access to Public Records ActBasics • Agency’s Responsibility, continued • If denying records, state reason for denial with citation to authority, and give name and title or position of person responsible for denial. • Produce records in reasonable time; communication with person requesting is key.

  9. Access to Public Records ActBasics • Exemptions to disclosure I.C. § 5-14-3-4 • Section 4(a) categories are confidential • Declared confidential by state statute • Required to be kept confidential by federal law • Patient medical records created by a provider • Declared confidential by rule adopted by Indiana supreme court (Administrative Rule 9)

  10. Access to Public Records Act Basics • Exemptions to disclosure I.C. § 5-14-3-4 • Most juvenile investigatory records are confidential under I.C. § 31-39-3-4 • Certain records must be released when information contained in the records involve allegations of delinquency that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult • Records related to the detention of any juvenile in a secure facility must be made available for public inspection and copying

  11. Access to Public Records ActBasics • Section 4(b) are discretionary categories • Investigatory records of law enforcement Information compiled during the course of an investigation of a crime • Exemption may still be claimed if charges are not brought or if case has been adjudicated

  12. Access to Public Records Act Basics • Other Section 4(b) discretionary categories • Attorney work product • Personnel file information, except for information that must be disclosed • Telephone number, address, and social security number of a customer of a municipally-owned utility

  13. Access to Public Records Act Basics • Law enforcement records which must be provided I.C. § 5-14-3-5 • Information relating to arrest and summons: Person’s name, age and address Information concerning charges Time and location of arrest, arresting officer, arresting law enforcement agency

  14. Access to Public Records Act Basics • Law enforcement records which must be provided I.C. § 5-14-3-5 • Information relating to jail or lock-up: Person’s name, age and address Information concerning reason for lock-up Date and time person was received and discharged Amount of bail

  15. Access to Public Records Act Basics • Law enforcement records which must be provided I.C. § 5-14-3-5 • An agency shall maintain a daily log of suspected crimes, accidents or complaints; the following is public information: • Time, substance, location of complaints or requests for assistance • Time and nature of response • Crime information: time, date, location of occurrence; name and age of victim; factual circumstances; description of injuries, weapons

  16. Access to Public Records ActBasics • Fees • Local agencies may charge only the fee schedule adopted by the fiscal body of the agency. • May not exceed the actual cost for providing a copy of the public record. • Actual cost is the cost of the paper and per page cost for use of the equipment.

  17. Access to Public Records ActBasics • Fees, continued • APRA’s general provisions on fees are superseded by a specific statute allowing higher fee. • Agencies may require advance payment.

  18. Access to Public Records Act Basics • Retention of records • The APRA requires an agency to protect records from loss, alteration, mutilation, or destruction. • Each county should have a commission on public records to adopt retention schedules. The state oversight committee on public records has set general retention schedules for cities and towns which can be found at www.in.gov/icpr/county/coretention.

  19. Access to Public Records ActEnforcement Provisions • A person may file a complaint with the public access counselor alleging a denial of a right under APRA. The PAC sends formal complaint to the agency for response and issues a formal advisory opinion within 30 days. • A person may file a lawsuit in superior court to compel the agency to produce a record.

  20. Office of the Public Access Counselor • Our contact information • 402 West Washington Street, W460 Indianapolis 46204 • Fax: 317.233.3091 • Toll free: 800.228.6013 • Phone: 317.234.0906 • Visit our website at www.in.gov/pac for 48-page handbook and advisory opinions

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