Relates to requiring a particularized and specific justification for denial of access to records under the freedom of information law, exemption from disclosure under the freedom of information law of certain law enforcement related records and to records identifying victims.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5496
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 3, 2019
___________
Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Govern-
ment Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to requiring a
particularized and specific justification for denial of access to
records under the freedom of information law and exemption from
disclosure under the freedom of information law of certain law
enforcement related records; and to amend the civil rights law, in
relation to records identifying victims
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 87 of the public officers law is amended by adding
2 a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
3 6. When a request is made for agency records and the agency receiving
4 such request is considering denying access pursuant to subparagraph i of
5 paragraph (e) of subdivision two of this section on the grounds that
6 disclosure would interfere with a judicial proceeding, the agency
7 receiving such request shall promptly notify, in writing, the judge
8 before whom such judicial proceeding is pending and the person making
9 the request. Such judge shall notify the person requesting the record of
10 its receipt, and offer the person requesting the record a reasonable
11 opportunity to be heard. After due deliberation, such judge shall deter-
12 mine whether access to such records should be denied pursuant to subpar-
13 agraph i of paragraph (e) of subdivision two of this section and shall
14 submit such determination in writing to the agency and the person
15 requesting the record. The agency shall then proceed as required pursu-
16 ant to this article, in accordance with the court's determination.
17 § 2. Subdivision 6 of section 89 of the public officers law, as added
18 by chapter 933 of the laws of 1977 and as renumbered by chapter 890 of
19 the laws of 1981, is amended and a new subdivision 10 is added to read
20 as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07144-01-9
S. 5496 2
1 6. Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit or abridge any
2 otherwise available right of access at law or in equity of any party to
3 records. A denial of access to records or to portions thereof pursuant
4 to this article shall not limit or abridge any party's right of access
5 to such records pursuant to the civil practice law and rules, the crimi-
6 nal procedure law, or any other law.
7 10. Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit a person or
8 entity that is a party to any civil or criminal action or proceeding
9 from gaining access to records pursuant to this article relating to such
10 action or proceeding, provided, however, that nothing in this subdivi-
11 sion shall prevent the denial of access to such records or portions
12 thereof after providing particularized and specific justification that
13 such records may be withheld pursuant to this article.
14 § 3. The opening paragraph and paragraph (e) of subdivision 2 of
15 section 87 of the public officers law, as added by chapter 933 of the
16 laws of 1977, are amended to read as follows:
17 Each agency shall, in accordance with its published rules, make avail-
18 able for public inspection and copying all records, except those records
19 or portions thereof that may be withheld pursuant to the exceptions of
20 rights of access appearing in this subdivision. A denial of access shall
21 not be based solely on the category or type of such record and shall be
22 valid only when there is a particularized and specific justification for
23 such denial. Each agency shall, in accordance with its published rules,
24 make available for public inspection and copying all records, except
25 that such agency may deny access to records or portions thereof that:
26 (e) are [compiled] prepared or created for law enforcement purposes
27 [and which, if disclosed, would] only to the extent that disclosure
28 would:
29 i. interfere with law enforcement investigations or judicial
30 proceedings, provided however, that any agency considering denying
31 access pursuant to this subparagraph shall proceed in accordance with
32 subdivision six of this section;
33 ii. deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or impartial adjudi-
34 cation;
35 iii. identify a confidential source or disclose confidential informa-
36 tion relating to a criminal investigation; or
37 iv. reveal criminal investigative techniques or procedures, except
38 routine techniques and procedures;
39 § 4. Subdivision 1 of section 50-b of the civil rights law, as amended
40 by chapter 320 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
41 1. The identity of any victim of a sex offense, as defined in article
42 one hundred thirty or section 255.25, 255.26 or 255.27 of the penal law,
43 or of an offense involving the alleged transmission of the human immuno-
44 deficiency virus, shall be confidential. No portion of any report,
45 paper, picture, photograph, court file or other documents, in the custo-
46 dy or possession of any public officer or employee, which identifies
47 such a victim shall be made available for public inspection. No such
48 public officer or employee shall disclose any portion of any police
49 report, court file, or other document, which tends to identify such a
50 victim except as provided in subdivision two of this section.
51 § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
