The Office of Open Records has put together an event we’re calling the Right-to-Know Law Rountable. The RTKL Roundtable is the first event of its kind — a half-day session of panels and speakers filled with topics specifically of interest to people who use the RTKL as requesters. It’s taking place in Harrisburg on Sept. … Continue reading Right-to-Know Law Roundtable – Sept. 5 in Harrisburg
As a general rule, the Office of Open Records does not participate in any appeals beyond the OOR itself. Occasionally, however, we are compelled to. In the case of Lehighton Area School District v. Campbell, stemming from OOR Dkt. No.: AP 2018-2187, the District’s trial brief included a claim that the Right-to-Know Law is unconstitutional. … Continue reading OOR Defends Constitutionality of the RTKL
Judge James A. Gibbons of Lackawanna County has ordered the City of Scranton to pay $3,484 in legal fees to the Scranton Times-Tribune, finding that the agency had not preserved records requested under the Right-to-Know Law. The decision, which came after an appeal of the Office of Open Records’ final determination in Lockwood v. City … Continue reading Judge: Agency Had a “Mandatory Duty” to Preserve Records
Earlier today at the Office of Open Records in Harrisburg, I hosted a training session designed for requesters, including members of the media and members of the public. The session focused on the Right-to-Know Law, and I appreciate everyone who attended. Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used: RTKL Training for Requesters – July 24, 2019 … Continue reading Presentation – RTKL Training for Requesters
The Office of Open Records is hosting a webinar tomorrow (Tuesday, July 23) at 10:00 a.m. titled Basics for Agency Open Records Officers (AOROs). This session focuses on what new AOROs need to know to respond accurately and efficiently to Right-to-Know Law requests, including agency obligations, prohibitions, deadlines, payment issues, and tips on managing an … Continue reading Webinar – Basics for Agency Open Records Officers
Earlier today, I was part of a panel discussion about the Right-to-Know Law as part of the Dauphin County Bar Association’s Bench Bar Conference. The session was entitled The Right-to-Know Law: Its Use and Abuse as a Discovery Tool. The discussion was moderated by Craig J. Staudenmaier of Nauman Smith Shissler & Hall. It also … Continue reading Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law and Discovery
Earlier today, I spoke to a group of District Attorneys at a conference organized by the Pennsylvania State Association of Elected County Officials. The conversation focused on the Right-to-Know Law and the unique role played by District Attorneys in terms of hearing appeals filed which are related to law enforcement records held by local agencies … Continue reading Presentation to District Attorneys
Earlier today, I spoke to a gathering of Pennsylvania’s elected county treasurers, hosted by the Pennsylvania State Association of Elected County Officials. The session, part of a conference running June 11-14, was held in Cranberry Township, Butler County, and it focused on the Right-to-Know Law. I very much appreciate the invitation. Here’s the PowerPoint presentation … Continue reading Presentation to County Treasurers
The Commonwealth Court recently upheld an Office of Open Records decision finding that corporations are not “individuals” under the Right-to-Know Law exception allowing agencies to withhold donor identities (Section 708(b)(13)). The specific case at issue involved California University of Pennsylvania and a request for records related to donations from Manheim Corporation to the Foundation for … Continue reading Corporations Not “Individuals” Under RTKL
The Office of Open Records webpage about Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act was updated recently. We added four new sections: What’s considered deliberation? Can agency members participate in a meeting via telephone or video conference? Can official action be taken at a closed meeting? Can agency members discuss agency business via email and/or social media? And made … Continue reading Sunshine Act Webpage Updated
| Docket | Date | Title | County | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-1392 | 09/13/2019 | Thompkins v. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services | Commonwealth | Petition for Reconsideration |
| 2019-1541 | 09/12/2019 | Schwenning v. Plum Borough School District | Allegheny | Dismissed: Premature |
| 2019-1524 | 09/12/2019 | Wisor v. Sandy Township | Clearfield | Transferred |
| 2019-1492 | 09/12/2019 | Yonkunas v. Middletown Area School District | Dauphin | Dismissed: Premature |
| 2019-1491 | 09/12/2019 | Yonkunas v. York City School District | York | Withdrawn |
| 2019-1458 | 09/12/2019 | Colon v. Pennsylvania Department of Corrections | Commonwealth | Denied |
| 2019-1405 | 09/12/2019 | Cunningham-Cook v. Delaware County | Delaware | Dismissed: Premature |
| Date | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| September 17, 2019, 10:00 AM | Basics for Agency Open Records Officers | |
| September 24, 2019, 10:20 AM | PA State Association of Township Supervisors-Regional Conference (Indiana) | |
| October 1, 2019, 9:00 AM | Right-to-Know Law Training | |
| October 3, 2019, 12:00 AM | Cumberland County Association of Township Officials | |
| October 7, 2019, 1:40 PM | PA State Association of Township Supervisors-Regional Conference (Lewisburg) | |
| October 10, 2019, 11:00 AM | Requester and Media Training |
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