Puerto Rico's governor just signed a law changing the rules for public records requests. The new rules double the time agencies have to respond, now taking up to twenty or thirty business days. It also adds technical hurdles, requiring requesters to send their query to both an agency director and a designated information officer with full contact details.
Requests missing these specifications will be considered defective. Agencies must assign a tracking number for each valid request. They can provide documents in a cheaper format if the original would be excessively costly. Denials now require written legal justifications, which can be appealed in a San Juan court.
Non-compliant agencies face daily fines, maxing out at eighteen thousand dollars. This legislative change occurs as access to government information faces scrutiny elsewhere. Recent lawsuits and reports highlight widespread challenges in obtaining public records across various US jurisdictions.
Requests missing these specifications will be considered defective. Agencies must assign a tracking number for each valid request. They can provide documents in a cheaper format if the original would be excessively costly. Denials now require written legal justifications, which can be appealed in a San Juan court.
Non-compliant agencies face daily fines, maxing out at eighteen thousand dollars. This legislative change occurs as access to government information faces scrutiny elsewhere. Recent lawsuits and reports highlight widespread challenges in obtaining public records across various US jurisdictions.
