Further regulating access to public records
The bill will amend existing statutes related to public records, specifically repealing certain sections of chapter 9 and revising chapter 66 of the General Laws. One of the significant changes will be the introduction of stricter timelines for custodians of public records to comply with requests, mandating a response within ten days. This is intended to streamline the process by which citizens can request and receive public records, thus enhancing citizen engagement with government functions and promoting public awareness.
House Bill 3301 is intended to further regulate access to public records within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The bill proposes the establishment of a public records division under the office of the secretary of the Commonwealth to enhance the management and accessibility of public records. This new division will be governed by a commission of public records, composed of five members, including representatives from various civic organizations. This structure aims to ensure a more formal governance mechanism surrounding public access to records, emphasizing transparency and accountability in government operations.
While the bill aims to improve transparency, it may also raise concerns among government agencies about the additional administrative burdens imposed by stricter compliance measures. Critics may argue that the requirements for custodian responses could lead to resource strains, especially in smaller towns with limited administrative capacity. Nonetheless, proponents of the bill assert that the infusion of a structured public records division will facilitate accountability and proper management of governmental records, thereby enriching the public's right to know.