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2020 SESSION

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SB 1051 Virginia Public Records Act; availability of public records.

Introduced by: R. Creigh Deeds | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Virginia Public Records Act; availability of certain public records. Provides that upon a petition filed with the clerk, a judge may enter an order releasing any record in the custody of The Library of Virginia that was sealed prior to January 1, 1901. The bill also provides that notwithstanding any provisions of a previously executed contract with any department, agency, or institution of the Commonwealth or political subdivision, any individual or private entity lawfully in possession of public records created prior to January 1, 1901, or images of such records may display or publish such records in any format, including in an electronic database or on the Internet, without paying a fee to or requesting permission from the original custodian of such records.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Virginia Public Records Act; availability of public records. Provides that upon a petition filed with the clerk, a judge may enter an order releasing any record in the custody of The Library of Virginia that was sealed prior to January 1, 1901. The bill also provides that any images of public records created prior to January 1, 1901, shall be in the public domain and free from certain restrictions.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Virginia Public Records Act; availability of public records. Provides that all records of grand juries held before January 1, 1901, and all records sealed by law or by order of a court entered before January 1, 1901, shall be open for public access irrespective of who or what agency has custody of such records. The bill also provides that any images of records created prior to January 1, 1901, shall be in the public domain and that neither the Commonwealth nor its political subdivisions, nor any agency thereof, shall charge a fee or require an agency, organization, or entity to request permission to publish or display such records.