Friday, September 23, 2016
8:30 - 9:00 - Registration, Breakfast, Networking
9:00 - 9:15 - Welcome and Introductions
9:15 - 10:45 - Session 1: 'Nuts and Bolts' of the New Public Records Law
10:45 - 11:00 - Break
11:00 - 12:00 - Session 2: Tips for Complying with the Public Records Law
College of the Holy Cross
Hogan Campus Center - Ballroom
1 College Street
Worcester, MA 01610
Driving Directions
The forum is being held in the Ballroom of The Hogan Campus Center. Click here for more information on the venue.
Opening the Books on the New Public Records Law
This past spring, the Legislature passed and the governor signed a major overhaul of the state’s 40-year-old public records law, which requires cities and towns to review and update local practices for responding to records requests. The rewrite makes changes to compliance timing and procedures, the collection of fees, requester appeals, and enforcement.
The production of public records is a core governmental function, and the sweeping changes will affect all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. The new law will need to be well understood in order to administer it effectively and avoid costly litigation.
Municipal officials are invited to a regional forum on Sept. 23, sponsored by Burns & Levinson, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the new law’s requirements. Prominent municipal counsel will discuss the many facets of the law as well as best practices to help your community comply. Presenters will also discuss administrative proposals to advance as part of regulations expected to be issued by the Secretary of State’s office later this year.
The meeting cost is $20, and pre-registration is required. It will be held at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.
Session Descriptions:
Session 1: ‘Nuts & Bolts’ of the New Public Records Law
Presenters will give an in-depth review of the recently enacted Public Records Law, including changes in the areas of timing, compliance, fees, and enforcement. During this session, attendees are encouraged to participate in developing proposals to be submitted to the Supervisor of Records for consideration as the Secretary of State’s office prepares regulations governing the new law.
Session 2: Tips for Complying with the Public Records Law
Seasoned public records law experts will discuss invaluable “best practices” in order to effectively administer and comply with the Public Records Law.
Presenters: