Public records access overhaul sent to Baker

BOSTON – Members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to send the first major overhaul of public records access laws in 40 years to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk.
In addition to requiring state agencies and cities and towns to designate records officers to field requests, the compromise proposal requires public agencies to provide requested records within 10 business days, while allowing for extensions beyond that deadline of no more than five business days for a state agency and 15 for a city or town. The bill further caps the length of appeals if records are denied and requesters appeal to the Secretary of State.