BILL REQ. #:  H-0080.1 

Prefiled 12/17/12. Read first time 01/14/13.   Referred to Committee on Govt Ops & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to identification of a requestor of public records; reenacting and amending RCW 42.56.080; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, includes provisions whereby an agency is given the opportunity to notify individuals of pending disclosure of records if they may be impacted by the disclosure. RCW 42.56.565 provides the opportunity for an agency to prevent disclosure of records to incarcerated individuals who have the intent to threaten the safety and security of others. Agencies have difficulty complying with these provisions if a person requesting records may conceal his or her identity.

Sec. 2   RCW 42.56.080 and 2005 c 483 s 1 and 2005 c 274 s 285 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     Public records shall be available for inspection and copying, and agencies shall, upon request for identifiable public records, make them promptly available to any identified person including, if applicable, on a partial or installment basis as records that are part of a larger set of requested records are assembled or made ready for inspection or disclosure. Agencies shall not deny a request for identifiable public records solely on the basis that the request is overbroad. Agencies shall not distinguish among persons requesting records, and such persons shall not be required to provide information as to the purpose for the request except to establish whether inspection and copying would violate RCW 42.56.070(9) or other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records to certain persons. Agencies may require persons making requests to identify themselves and require that an agent or representative of a person disclose the identity of the person on whose behalf the request is being made. Agency facilities shall be made available to any person for the copying of public records except when and to the extent that this would unreasonably disrupt the operations of the agency. Agencies shall honor requests received by mail for identifiable public records unless exempted by provisions of this chapter.