The Open Public Records Act (OPRA) is a New Jersey law thatgoverns public access to government records maintained bypublic agencies in New Jersey.
What is a government record?
A “government record” is any record that has been made,maintained, or kept on file in the course of official publicbusiness, or that has been received in the course of officialpublic business. Government records can include paper records,electronic files, audio recordings and other formats.
Who may file an OPRA request?
Anyone can file an OPRA request. Requestors are not required togive a reason for the request, and OPRA requests may even befiled anonymously.
How many requests may I submit to a public agency?
The statute does not limit the number of OPRA requests a personcan submit to a particular agency.
Are there any government records that I cannot obtain?
There are some records that are exempt from the law. Anagency can withhold documents (or portions of documents) fromrequestors based on a number of exemptions, but the agencymust indicate why the requested information is exempt. Some ofthe exemptions include:
- Inter-agency or intra-agency advisory, consultative ordeliberative material
- Legislative records, including constituent-related records
- Attorney-client privilege
- Medical examiner records
- Criminal investigatory records
- Victims’ records
- Records regarding ongoing investigations
- Public defender records
- Trade secrets and proprietary commercial or financial information
- Biotechnology trade secrets
- Computer-related information which, if released would jeopardize computer security
- Emergency or security information or procedures for any buildings which, if disclosed, would jeopardize the security ofthe building or facility or its occupants
- Security measures and surveillance techniques which, if disclosed, would create a risk to the safety of persons,property, electronic data or software
- Communications between a public agency and its insurancecarrier, administrative service organization or riskmanagement office
- Information which, if disclosed, would give an advantage tocompetitors or bidders
- Information related to sexual harassment complaints
- Confidential information shielded by a court order
- Personal identifying information, including social securitynumbers, credit card numbers, unlisted telephone numbers,and drivers’ license numbers
- Certificate of honorable discharge issued by the United Statesgovernment
- Certain records of higher education institutions includingresearch, test questions, charitable contributions or gifts,admission applications and other student records.
What information may I obtain regarding public employees?
You may obtain a public employee’s name, title, position, salary,payroll record, length of service, date of any separation and thereason for such separation, and the amount and type of any pension received. If there are specific qualifications for a publicemployee’s position or pension, you may also obtain generalinformation regarding the public employee’s qualifications.
How do I make a request?
Many agencies have a specific OPRA form for requestors to fill out. You do not have to use a form, but the request must be in writingand specifically mention OPRA. The request can be hand-delivered,mailed, transmitted electronically, or otherwise conveyed to theappropriate records custodian. Each public agency determines thespecific way to submit an OPRA request to its offices.
What should my request say?
You must specifically identify the government records sought. If arequest does not identify records or is overly broad, a custodian may deny the request. When in doubt, ask the custodian what youshould say to obtain the records you seek.
Who is the “custodian of a government record”?
OPRA states that the custodian of government records in amunicipality is the municipal clerk, and any other public agencymust officially designate a records custodian. Counties or largerstate agencies may have more than one custodian of records.
What happens if I submit my request to the wrong person?
OPRA requires that any officer or employee of a public agencywho receives an OPRA request must either forward the requestto the appropriate records custodian, or direct you to theappropriate records custodian.
When will I receive the records that I requested?
You may obtain budgets, bills, vouchers, contracts, and publicemployee salary and overtime information immediately. Forall other records, you should receive a response within sevenbusiness days after a request is received. Sometimes agenciesmay contact you within that time period advising you of whento expect your records. Although records should be provided toyou as soon as possible, there are often delays if the requestedrecords are unavailable or are in storage.
When does the response time clock begin?
The clock does not begin until the appropriate records custodianhas received the request.
How can I receive the requested records?
You can request a preferred method of delivery (regular mail, fax,or email).
Do I have to purchase copies of government records?
No. You may inspect government records at any public agencyfor free. However, if your request is voluminous, a custodianmay charge a special service fee under certain circ*mstancesincluding the time spent collecting the materials for your review.
Can I get the information in a different format?
Yes. If the agency keeps its records in another format, you canrequest that format. For example, if you want meeting minutes in anelectronic format, you can request them on a CD. You can also ask thecustodian to convert the records into a format you prefer; however,the custodian may impose a special service charge to convert therecords into the format requested.
What are special service fees?
A public agency may charge a special service fee in addition to theactual cost of duplicating records when:
- The requested records cannot be reproduced using ordinaryequipment, in ordinary business size; or
- Complying with the request involves an extraordinaryexpenditure of time and effort.
Special service charges may also apply if the custodian mustconvert the requested records into a different format. Thecustodian must provide you with advance notice to review any
special service charges before imposing them. These chargesare reserved for the extensive use of technology or labor requiredto respond to your records request. All special service charges
must be reasonable and based on actual direct cost. Actual directcost means the hourly rate of the lowest level employee capableof fulfilling the request.
How much do the records cost?
Records cost 5 cents for letter sized pages, 7 cents per page forlegal sized pages.Electronic records must be provided free of charge. If you requestcopies of a tape, computer disc or other similar medium, you will becharged only the actual cost of providing the records in that medium.
Can a public agency refuse to fulfill my request?
Generally, no. However, if a request for access to a governmentrecord would substantially disrupt agency operations, thecustodian may deny access to the record only after attempting toreach a reasonable solution with you.
How should the public agency respond to my request?
A proper response to an OPRA request:
- Is in writing within seven (7) business days
- Grants access, denies access, seeks clarification, or requests an extension of time
- Addresses each record requested
- Addresses requestor’s preferred method of delivery
- Includes a record index that identifies each record requested and the specific legal basis for a denial of access (includingredactions) for each record denied or redacted.
If a special service charge is assessed, the agency must provide an estimateand give the requestor an opportunity to accept or reject charge.
What happens if my request is denied?
If the custodian denies a request for access, the custodian mustprovide you with a specific legal basis for denying access. You may alsohave additional rights to public records under the common law rightof access. To obtain public records under common law, your statedinterest in the requested records must outweigh the public agency’sinterest in keeping the records confidential. You may appeal a denial ofaccess under common law by filing a complaint in Superior Court.
My request was denied, now what?
You may appeal the denial of access by filing:
- A complaint in Superior Court; or
- A complaint with the New Jersey Government Records Council (GRC).
Please note that, if you plan to file in Superior Court, a complaintmust be filed within 45 days after you are denied the records. Thereis no time limit on filing a Denial of Access Complaint with the GRC.You may want to consult with an attorney prior to filing a complaint.
Can the public agency be penalized for denyingmy request?
OPRA states that a public official, officer, employee, or custodianwho knowingly and willfully violates the Act and is found tohave unreasonably denied access under the totality of the circ*mstances shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for aninitial violation, $2,500 for a second violation, and $5,000 for athird violation that occurs within 10 years of an initial violation. If you are seeking such penalties, they must be sought when appealing a denial of access in Superior Court or the GRC.
