New Jersey Government Records Council

From Sunshine Review

The New Jersey Government Records Council is charged with enforcing the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Records Act. The GRC:

• Responds to inquiries and complaints about the law from the public and public agency records custodians;
• Issues public information about the law and services provided by the Council;
• Maintains a toll-free help-line and Web site to assist the public and records custodians;
• Issues advisory opinions on the accessibility of government records;
• Delivers training on OPRA;
• Provides mediation of disputes about access to government records;
• Resolves disputes regarding access to government records.

Contents 1 Notable Rulings 2 Contact 3 See also 4 References

[edit] Notable Rulings

"E-mails are subject to the state Open Public Records Act, even when those messages haven’t been opened." This ruling was made on behalf of former West Milford Councilman Joseph Elcavage. On February 6, 2006 Elcavage filed an open records request with the town seeking e-mails sent to the account of Councilman James Warden. His request was denied by town clerk Antoinette Battaglia due to the fact that of the 270 messages in the account, only 15 had ever been opened. Elcavage filed a complaint with the Government Records Council on March 9, 2006, which determined that the e-mails are a matter of public record despite having not been opened. ^[1]

[edit] Contact

Toll-free help line: 866-850-0511

Mailing address:
Government Records Council
PO Box 819
Trenton, NJ 0825-0819

Street address:
Government Records Council
101 South Broad Street
Trenton, NJ 08625

Website: NJ Government Records Council

[edit] See also

• New Jersey Open Public Records Act
• New Jersey OPRA procedures

[edit] References

1. ↑ State records council rules e-mails are public records West Milford Messenger, June 6, 2008