BOSTON (AP) — A proposal to overhaul the state’s public records law has cleared the Massachusetts House.
Representatives voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a bill that is designed to make it easier — and possibly cheaper — for citizens to access public records from state agencies and municipalities.
The measure, which now goes to the Senate, would be the first significant overhaul of public records procedures in Massachusetts since 1973. Open government groups have long complained the current law is outdated and cumbersome, resulting in long delays and exorbitant costs.
The bill sets a 10-day limit for compliance with most public records requests and caps fees for producing the records.
It would also allow judges to order reimbursement of legal fees for citizens who successfully challenge in court the denial of a public records request.
“Energy policy is one of the most crucial issues facing the Commonwealth today,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said. “Today’s efforts and those we will undertake later in the session will help foster a sustainable renewable energy industry while ensuring ratepayers are treated fairly. I’m proud of the progress the House is making to strike a balanced approach that will serve our state’s environmental and economic needs both now and far into the future.”
