New York S 9607: Relates to certain reforms for agencies subject to the freedom of information law

Bill Text

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S09607 Summary:

BILL NOS09607 

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SAME ASSAME AS A11143

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SPONSORMAY

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Amd §§87 & 89, Pub Off L

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Requires agencies subject to FOIL requirements to promulgate rules and regulations regarding to whom a requestor may appeal a denial and how to request records from or appeal a denial; makes certain provisions relating to publication of contact information for FOIL requests and appeals.

Go to top S09607 Actions:

BILL NOS09607 

&nbsp

03/27/2026REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Go to topS09607 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS09607 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS09607 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 9607

 IN SENATE

 March 27, 2026
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. MAY -- 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 certain reforms
 for agencies subject to the freedom of information law

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Subparagraph ii of paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of
 2 section 87 of the public officers law, as added by chapter 933 of the
 3 laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
 4 ii. the persons from whom such records may be obtained, and to whom a
 5 requestor may appeal a complete denial, partial denial, or constructive
 6 denial, and how to request records from or appeal denials to such
 7 persons, including but not limited to a mailing address and an email
 8 address for each such person; and
 9 § 2. Subdivision 4 of section 87 of the public officers law, as added
 10 by chapter 890 of the laws of 1981 and paragraph (c) as added by chapter
 11 102 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
 12 4. (a) Each state agency which maintains records containing trade
 13 secrets, to which access may be denied pursuant to paragraph (d) of
 14 subdivision two of this section, shall promulgate regulations in
 15 conformity with the provisions of subdivision five of section eighty-
 16 nine of this article pertaining to such records, including, but not
 17 limited to the following:
 18 (1) the manner of identifying the records or parts;
 19 (2) the manner of identifying persons within the state agency to whose
 20 custody the records or parts will be charged and for whose inspection
 21 and study the records will be made available;
 22 (3) the manner of safeguarding against any unauthorized access to the
 23 records.
 24 (b) [As used in this subdivision the term "agency" or "state agency"
 25 means only a state department, board, bureau, division, council or
 26 office and any public corporation the majority of whose members are
 27 appointed by the governor.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD15378-01-6

 S. 9607 2

 1 (c)] Each [state] agency that maintains a website shall post informa-
 2 tion related to this article and article six-A of this chapter on its
 3 website. Such information shall include, at a minimum, contact informa-
 4 tion for the persons from whom records of the agency may be obtained as
 5 promulgated pursuant to subparagraph ii of paragraph (b) of subdivision
 6 one of this section, the times and places such records are available for
 7 inspection and copying, and information on how to request records in
 8 person, by mail, [and, if the agency accepts requests for records elec-
 9 tronically,] by e-mail, and by any other additional means the agency
 10 shall designate. [This posting] Such postings by state agencies shall be
 11 linked to the website of the committee on open government.
 12 § 3. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subdivision 3 of section 89 of the
 13 public officers law, paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 223 of the laws
 14 of 2008 and paragraph (c) as added by chapter 47 of the laws of 2018,
 15 are amended and a new paragraph (d) is added to read as follows:
 16 (b) All entities shall, provided such entity has reasonable means
 17 available, accept requests for records and appeals of denials of access
 18 to rec