Belmonte, Christopher

Indiana Access to Public Records Act

§5-14-3-1 et seq.

The Indiana Access to Public Records Act is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels. Public records are defined as essentially any information created, maintained or filed by government agencies. Exemptions include trade secrets, confidential information received upon request, academic research, licensing information, medical records, anything declared exempt by the Supreme Court, autopsy photos or videos, social security numbers, law enforcement investigations, attorney information, personal files of employees, names of charitable donors, security measures for telecommunications, schools, and general infrastructure, correctional officer information, complaint information within law enforcement agencies, contact information for utility employees, or labor negotiations.

Any person can request public records in Indiana and no request may be refused due to a lack of statement of purpose. Record cannot be used for commercial purposes except if it is news publications, academic research, or non-profit organization activities that are using the information. The Indiana statute allows for seven days to acknowledge Indiana Access to Public Records Act requests if the request is mailed or sent by facsimilie or email. "If a requestor is physically present in the office of the public agency or makes a request by telephone or requests enhanced access to a document, the public agency must respond to the request within 24 hours after any employee of the agency receives the request." (From Indiana's Public Law Access Handbook)