Open Records - Wilkes-Barre Township
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Wilkes-Barre Township provides information on its compliance with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and procedures for submitting public records requests. The township requires specific document requests (not "any and all" language), does not accept anonymous requests, and notes that not all emails qualify as public records. Residents seeking records should complete the Commonwealth's standard Right-to-Know Request Form and submit it to the Agency Open Records Officer, with special forms required for police recordings under Act 22 of 2017.
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Home Services General Info Government Code & Zoning Contact Us A Home Rule Township of the First Class Open Records Wilkes-Barre Township complies with all regulations, policies and procedures of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Wilkes-Barre Township does not accept anonymous requests. (OOR Alert) Providing Access to Public Records · Asking questions and looking for answers is not a legitimate request. · You must request specific documents and/or records that already exists. A request can not be made to create a document/record. · “Any and All” verbiage when making a request lacks specificity and that request will be denied. Emails Not all emails are public records. Each email, like any other record, goes through the same analysis to determine whether it is a public record. Record Please refer to the definitions below defined in the RTK Law: · Information, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that documents a transaction or activity of an agency and that is created, received or retained pursuant to law or in connection with a transaction, business or activity of the agency. The term includes a: · Book · Data processed or image-processed document · Document · Film or sound recording · Information stored or maintained electronically · Letter · Map · Paper · Photograph · Tape Public record A record, including a financial record, of a Commonwealth or local agency that: · Is not exempt from being disclosed under any other Federal or State law or regulation or judicial order or decree · Is not exempt under section 708 · Is not protected by a privilege How do I know if the documents and/or records I request can be given to me? Answer: Section 703, Section 705 and Section 708(b) of the "Right To Know Law" describe what types of documents cannot legally be given to the public. Review the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008) About the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law (FAQs) Wilkes-Barre Township utilizes the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Office of Open Records Standard Right-to-Know Request Form, which is available here. When requesting police recordings (video &/or audio) please review the requirements of Act 22 of 2017 and utilize the form available here. Submitting a Request Complete the Standard Right-to-Know Law Request Form. Once completed, the form may be submitted to the Agency Open Records Officer. Current Agency Open Records Officer Information is available here. Information about Luzerne County Open Records is available here. · Copyright © Wilkes-Barre Township · All Rights reserved · Site Map Wilkes-Barre Township A Semiquincentennial Community
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