Public record access enhanced by new bill

AUGUSTA – Legislation intended to ensure easy public access to open records kept by Maine police, towns and other agencies has been signed into law by Gov. John Baldacci.

The legislation, LD 1957, stems in part from a statewide audit of public records in 2002 that showed a lack of compliance with Maine’s public access and public records laws.

The bill approved by lawmakers will allow a “reasonable” time for a town to produce a public document. Present law has no time limits.

It also says public bodies must charge reasonable fees to copy documents so they don’t charge excessive fees of several dollars per page, as some towns have done.

But it also allows towns to recoup, within limits, costs of searching for information requested by the public and compiling it. The provision is to protect public agencies from unreasonable demands for documents or other information.

The law says public officials who go behind closed doors must cite state laws giving them the authority to go into executive session, but it also allows them some flexibility in calling private sessions.