NFOIC – Page 131 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

PA: Court weighs when public can view state police videos

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Police dash camera videos that are routinely released in other states could become more available for public view in Pennsylvania under a case argued Wednesday before the state Supreme Court.

A state police lawyer voiced strong opposition, saying existing law largely prevents disclosure and warning a change in policy could be costly for police agencies, compromise investigations and expose details about private citizens against their wishes.

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White House’s DJ Patil wants to disrupt the criminal justice system with data

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At TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2016, (TechCrunch) had a chance to chat with DJ Patil, the nation’s deputy chief technology officer for data policy and chief data scientist. (they) talked about what he’s been up to at the White House lately, the criminal justice system and a recently-launched data justice initiative.

Since the launch of the White House’s Police Data Initiative in May 2015, 75 police jurisdictions have collectively released more than 150 data sets about policing, including information around the use of force and traffic stops.

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MI: Lawmakers push for greater transparency with FOIA requests

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The Freedom of Information Act could be changing in Michigan.

A House committee approved a bill Thursday that would prevent public bodies like the government from suing someone that requests information through a FOIA request. The bill is part of a larger attempt by lawmakers to make FOIA more transparent.

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Vermont’s Condos: Social media discussions can be public meetings

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The Vermont Secretary of State's Office says a quorum of public officials participating in social media like Facebook groups, Front Porch Forum or other online groups brings up open meeting law concerns.

The guidance on social media use was included in the office's annual update to the state open meeting law released last week.

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Oregon DOJ overturns public records fee rule

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The Oregon Department of Justice has overturned a 14-year-old rule requiring some state agencies to charge for public records.

The ruling was sparked by the Statesman Journal's appeal of a decision by the Public Employees Retirement System to charge full price for release of public records. PERS asked for $112 to produce the 2015 travel receipts of the retirement system's director and board members. When the newspaper's request to waive those fees was denied, it appealed to the DOJ.

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Indiana Supreme Court considers whether private university police records should be open to public

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Should police departments operated by private universities in Indiana be subject to the same open records requirements that apply to state, county and municipal police agencies?

The five justices of the Indiana Supreme Court wrestled with that question during 45 minutes of oral arguments Tuesday as the University of Notre Dame urged the high court to continue allowing it to keep secret all campus police records, especially those pertaining to student athletes.

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VCOG: Open Government Awards Nomination Form

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Nominations are being accepted for VCOG’s Freedom of Information Awards, to be presented in the fall of 2016. Entries should be submitted by November 2, 2016, by filling out the form below or by mailing the same information to VCOG, P.O. Box 2576, Williamsburg VA 23187.

Awards are given to citizens, media and government for their recent efforts in keeping Virginia state or local government open and accountable to the public.

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Headliners Foundation of Texas announces FOI grants program

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The Headliners Foundation of Texas has embarked on a one-year pilot program of grants to reimburse small-market and community news organizations in Texas for extraordinary expenses charged by governmental bodies for Open Records searches.

The grant application process will open September 6, 2016, and will continue until the 2016 Foundation funding for the grants is awarded.

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WI: State agency violates records law

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A Dane County judge on Monday ruled a state commission violated the open records law last year when it refused to quickly turn over information about a union election.

“I just find that (this case) is a violation of the open records law. I do believe it is appropriate for this court to enter a declaration to that effect,” Dane County Circuit Judge Peter Anderson said.

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Utah: Fired Harrisville officer took plea bargain in student sexual exploitation case, documents show

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Brett Ryon Hadley, 39, was terminated in December 2015 from the Harrisville Police Department after an investigation into allegations of sexual improprieties dating back to his time as a school resource officer employed by the Pleasant View Police Department and assigned to Weber High School.

Key details of the case were learned only this week after six months of conflict over public access to an Ogden Police Department investigative report.

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Author: NFOIC

Posts by NFOIC

PA: Court weighs when public can view state police videos

White House’s DJ Patil wants to disrupt the criminal justice system with data

MI: Lawmakers push for greater transparency with FOIA requests

Vermont’s Condos: Social media discussions can be public meetings

Oregon DOJ overturns public records fee rule

Indiana Supreme Court considers whether private university police records should be open to public

VCOG: Open Government Awards Nomination Form

Headliners Foundation of Texas announces FOI grants program

WI: State agency violates records law

Utah: Fired Harrisville officer took plea bargain in student sexual exploitation case, documents show