Massachusetts Public Records Law facts for kids
The Massachusetts Public Records Law is a special rule in Massachusetts that helps people find out what information the government has. It's like a key that unlocks many government documents. This law is similar to a bigger federal law called the Freedom of Information Act, which was started in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
In 2016, a newspaper called the Boston Globe reported that Massachusetts was the only state where the state's lawmakers (the Legislature), judges (the judiciary), and the governor (the governor’s office) all said they didn't have to follow this law. Many people in Massachusetts want the government to be more open. For example, in 2020, people voted on a ballot question in many areas, and most of them strongly supported making the government more transparent. Groups like Act on Mass and the New England First Amendment Coalition work to make sure this law is followed.
What Are Public Records?
Public records are documents and information that the government collects. The Massachusetts Public Records Law says that most of these records should be available for anyone to see. This helps people understand what their government is doing.
What Kinds of Records Are Public?
Almost any document or piece of information created or kept by the government can be a public record. This includes things like:
- Pictures
- Memos (short notes)
- Books and papers
- Maps
- Recorded tapes
- Money reports (financial statements)
- Facts and figures (statistics)
- Other information or data
If the government has it, it's usually considered public, unless it falls under a special rule that keeps it private.
Why Do We Have This Law?
This law helps make the government more open and accountable to the people. When citizens can see government records, they can check how decisions are made and how public money is spent. It's like being able to look behind the scenes to understand what's happening.
How Does the Law Work?
The law says that government offices and other agencies must share their records if someone asks for them. You don't need a special reason to ask for a record. This is a way for everyone to have access to information.
When Records Can Be Kept Private
Even though most records are public, there are some exceptions. The law has sixteen reasons, or "exemptions," that allow the government to keep certain records private. These exemptions are usually for things that need to be kept secret for safety or privacy reasons. For example, personal information about individuals or sensitive security details might be kept private.
