Washington Administrative Code
Title 82 - Financial Management, Office of
Chapter 82-48 - Disclosure of public records
Section 82-48-090 - Processing of public records requests - General

(1) Making a request for public records.

(2) Acknowledging receipt of request. Within five business days after the day the request is received, the public records officer will do one or more of the following:

(3) Notification of other affected parties. In the event that the requested records name or specifically pertain to a person, or contain information that may affect the rights of others, the public records officer may, prior to providing the records, give notice to such others who are named, to whom the records pertain, or whose rights may be affected by the disclosure. The purpose of such notice is both to make persons named in a record aware that such information is being released and to make it possible for those persons, should they choose to do so, to seek an order from a court to prevent or limit the disclosure. The notice to the affected persons will include a copy of the request.

(4) Records exempt from disclosure. By law, some records are exempt or prohibited from disclosure, in whole or in part. If OFM determines that a record or part of a record is exempt or prohibited from disclosure and should be withheld, the public records officer will deny the request as to that record or portion of the record, and will identify the withheld record in general terms, state the specific exemption authorizing the withholding of the record or portion of the record, and provide a brief explanation of how the exemption applies to the record or portion of the record being withheld.

(5) Providing copies of records. Public records requested will be made available as promptly as is possible without excessive interference with the other essential functions of the agency, and in accordance with the requirement that agencies protect the requested records from damage or disorganization.

(6) Providing records in installments. When the request is for a large number of records, or if the records require substantial legal review to determine whether any exemptions apply, the public records officer may provide copies of the records in installments.

(7) Completion of request. When all requested copies of records are provided, the public records officer will indicate in writing that OFM has fulfilled its duties under the Public Records Act, and that the request is closed.

(8) Closing withdrawn or abandoned request. When the requestor withdraws the request or fails within thirty days to claim or review records or to pay the deposit or final payment for the requested copies, the public records officer will close the request and indicate to the requestor that OFM has closed the request.

(9) Later discovered documents. If, after OFM has informed the requestor that it has provided all available records, it becomes aware of additional responsive documents existing at the time of the request, it will promptly inform the requestor of the additional documents and provide them, at no charge, on an expedited basis.