Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0520 - Education
Subtitle 0520-15 - Public Records Requests
Chapter 0520-15-01 - Public Records Requests
Section 0520-15-01-.02 - DEFINITIONS

(1) Public records: All documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files and output, films, sound recordings, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental agency. Public records do not include the device or equipment, including, but not limited to, a cell phone, computer, or other electronic or mechanical device or equipment, that may have been used to create or store a public record or state record.

(2) Public records request coordinator (PRRC): The individual, or individuals, identified in this rule who has, or have, the responsibility to ensure public record requests are routed to the appropriate records custodian and are fulfilled in accordance with the TPRA. The public records request coordinator may also be a records custodian.

(3) Records custodian: The office, official or employee lawfully responsible for the direct custody and care of a public record. The records custodian is not necessarily the original preparer or receiver of the record.

(4) Redacted record: A public record otherwise open for public inspection from which protected or confidential information is removed or obscured prior to release or inspection.

(5) Requestor: A Tennessee citizen requesting access to a public record, whether for inspection or duplication.