Public Records Act.  The Public Records Act (PRA), enacted in 1972 as part of Initiative 276, requires all state and local government agencies to make all public records available for public inspection and copying, unless certain statutory exemptions apply.  Over 500 specific references in the PRA or other statutes remove certain information from application of the PRA, provide exceptions to the public disclosure and copying of certain information, or designate certain information as confidential.  The provisions requiring public records disclosure must be interpreted liberally, while the exemptions are interpreted narrowly to effectuate the general policy favoring disclosure.

Children's Personal Information.  Personal information, in any files maintained for students in public school, by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families for children enrolled in licensed child care, and for children enrolled in early learning, parks and recreation, youth development, or similar programs is exempt from public disclosure requirements.  The Washington Supreme Court has defined personal information as information peculiar or proper to private concerns, rather than any information about an individual.

The personal information of a child enrolled in a school district contained in any records, including correspondence, maintained by the school district is exempt from public disclosure requirements.