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Exemptions, Explained: 708 (b)(8), Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining Agreements

25 June 2024

In this post, we discuss records related to labor relations and collective bargaining agreements, covered in section 708(b)(8).  Senior Appeals Officer Kelly Isenberg provided the legal analysis.  As of June 24, 2024, this exemption has been cited in 99 OOR appeals.   Section 708(b)(8) exempts: Common sense dictates that publicly releasing records related to agency labor … Continue reading Exemptions, Explained: 708 (b)(8), Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining Agreements


Attention Open Records Officers

18 June 2024

Good afternoon. Earlier today, we sent all agency open records officers registered with our office a link to a survey. Understanding the challenges facing agencies who are subject to the Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) is an important goal of the Office of Open Records (OOR); this survey project is a critical way to gather that information. … Continue reading Attention Open Records Officers


Exemptions, Explained: 708 (b)(7), Agency Employee Records

7 June 2024

Next, we discuss records related to agency employees. Section 708(b)(7) protects certain records related to employees’ information. Chief Counsel Kyle Applegate provided the legal analysis for this exemption.  As of June 7, 2024, this exemption has been cited in 584 OOR appeals.   Section 708(b)(7) exempts “the following records relating to an agency employee: The specific … Continue reading Exemptions, Explained: 708 (b)(7), Agency Employee Records


FOIA Buddy

20 May 2024

The OOR has been contacted by numerous agencies who have received Right-to-Know Law requests from requesters using FOIA Buddy. Please read this for more information.


Transparency Zone, April 2024

13 May 2024

The Liquor Control Board demonstrated that granting access to bourbon whiskey delivery schedule records to different County liquor stores would threaten the security of an individual. This decision has been appealed to Commonwealth Court. 2024-0251 The applications of unsuccessful applicants for a position, including those applicants’ names, are exempt records. 2024-0539 The Copyright Act may prohibit … Continue reading Transparency Zone, April 2024


Transparency Zone, March 2024

5 April 2024

A requester is entitled to a refund of duplication fees paid for records produced by the agency that are not responsive to the request. 2023-2227 The identity of the requester and motivation for the request are irrelevant in determining whether records are exempt from disclosure. 2024-0266 The RTKL’s exemption for trade secrets or confidential, proprietary … Continue reading Transparency Zone, March 2024


Exemptions, Explained: 708 (b)(6), Personal Identification Information

3 April 2024

Even the most dedicated transparency advocates will draw a line when it comes to the disclosure of certain personal information in records. Section 708(b)(6) of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law (“RTKL”) allows government agencies to withhold personal identification information from public access.   In this edition of “Exemptions, Explained,” with legal analysis provided by Appeals Officer Angela Edris, … Continue reading Exemptions, Explained: 708 (b)(6), Personal Identification Information


The Demand for Election Records

12 March 2024

The 2020 presidential election will go down in history as one of Pennsylvania’s most memorable. The impact on Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) requests was swift, prolonged, and intense. Requesters sought records related to mail-in ballots, voting machines, and security policies. More than three years later, election related RTKL appeals still remain above pre-November 2020 levels. With … Continue reading The Demand for Election Records


2023 Annual Report

11 March 2024

The Office of Open Records is proud to present its 2023 Annual Report. Read it here. Highlights from this year’s annual report include: Share this:


Transparency Zone, February 2024

4 March 2024

An agency may enforce a policy that requires use of the “standard statewide RTK form” for all requests. 2024-0292 An agency may respond to a request by directing a requester to a publicly accessible website that contains all of the data points. 2024-0196 Bridge inspection reports are exempt from access under the Vehicle Code. 2024-0329 … Continue reading Transparency Zone, February 2024


Docket Date Title County Status
20241675 06/28/2024 David Iannucci and UAW Local Union 5503, Office of the Public Defender, Delaware County v. Delaware County Delaware Dismissed: Untimely
20241669 06/28/2024 Valmiki Nanan v. Abington Township Montgomery Dismissed: Insufficient (Sec. 1101)
20241658 06/28/2024 Shawn Ross v. Berks County District Attorney's Office Berks Dismissed: Untimely
20241566 06/28/2024 Artis Carroll v. Lancaster City Lancaster Dismissed: Noncompliance
20241551 06/28/2024 Reginald Johnson v. Philadelphia Parking Authority Commonwealth Denied
20241529 06/28/2024 Daniel Weimer v. Seneca Valley School District Butler Partially Granted: Partially Dismissed
20241520 06/28/2024 Frank D'Amore and Fitzpatrick, Lentz, and Bubba v. Whitehall Township Lehigh Withdrawn
Date Organization
July 10, 2024, 10:00 AM [OPEN TO PUBLIC] Basics of the Right-to-Know Law Webinar
July 24, 2024, 10:00 AM [OPEN TO PUBLIC] The Right-to-Know Law for Law Enforcement Webinar
August 1, 2024, 11:30 AM Berks County Intermediate Unit RTKL Training
August 7, 2024, 10:00 AM [OPEN TO PUBLIC] Basics of the Sunshine Act Webinar
August 21, 2024, 10:00 AM [OPEN TO PUBLIC] Payment Issues and the Right-to-Know Law Webinar
September 4, 2024, 10:00 AM [OPEN TO PUBLIC] Basics of the Right-to-Know Law Webinar