I: What's public and what's not under new Pa. law
Examples of information that the government must make available to the public under Pennsylvania's new Right-to-Know Law, and examples of government information that will remain private:
PUBLIC
• Legislative records, including financial information and e-mails between lawmakers and lobbyists. The Legislature was exempt from the previous Right-to-Know Law.
• Financial records of judicial agencies, which were previously exempt from the Right-to-Know Law.
• Financial and other records of community colleges.
• Financial and other records of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
• Name, position, salary and other compensation, employment contract and length of service of any public official or agency employee.
• Documents reflecting final action on a public employee's demotion or discharge.
• Grant applications.
• Documents presented to a quorum of an agency for discussion at a public meeting.
• 911 time response logs.
• Bids and requests for proposals on public contracts, including unsuccessful proposals, once the bids have been opened.
• Traffic reports.
• Certain records held by government contractors performing governmental functions.
• Name, cause and manner of death of an individual.
• Real-estate appraisals, environmental reviews, audits and evaluations related to an agency's lease, acquisition or disposal of real property once the agency makes a decision.
PRIVATE
• Social Security numbers.
• Driver's license numbers.
• Home, cellular or personal phone numbers.
• Personal financial information, such as credit cards, bank account and financial statements.
• Home addresses of law-enforcement officers and judges.
• Recordings and transcripts of 911 calls, unless a court or agency deems the release in the public's interest.
• Medical, psychological or disability records that identify individuals.
• Records that identify people who apply for or receive social services.
• A minor's name, home address and date of birth.
Sources: Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition.
© 2008 The Associated Press – Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
