Michigan freedom of information act please print the following. Join a workshop to learn more about michigan s freedom of information act from a lawyer and journalists who use it every day. It is the public policy of the state of michigan that all persons except those persons incarcerated in state and local correctional facilities are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees. Michigan freedom of information act request form submit request for copies of nonexempt public information under the michigan freedom of information act foia to. Date of request name address street city state zip. If access to the records i am requesting will take longer than this amount of time, please contact me with information about when i might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records. Address must be written in compliance with usps addressing standards. The freedom of information act foia is a law that gives you the right to access information from the federal government.
Southwestern michigan college freedom of information act. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. My signature verifies that i agree to pay said costs and understand that clinton county central dispatch has five 5 business days to reply to this request. Michigans freedom of information act michigan association of. I have requested a copy of records or a subscription to records or the opportunity to inspect records, pursuant to the michigan freedom of information act, public act 442 of 1976, mcl 15.
It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. I understand that the city must respond to this request within five 5 business days after receiving it, and that response may include taking a ten 10 business day extension. If access is wrongfully denied, citizens are authorized to bring suit to compel disclosure and may be awarded damages and reasonable attorney fees. Freedom of information act 2011 laws of the federation of nigeria an act to make public records and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information, protect public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of. The foia sets requirements for the disclosure of public records by all state. Please state the name of the public record you are requesting and include the following. Fees charged for processing requests under foia will be charged as allowed by the michigan foia. Foia request for public records michigan freedom of. Overview of the michigan freedom of information act.
Overview of the michigan freedom of information act handbook for general law village officials 99 published by the michigan municipal league 2006, updated 2015 sounds or symbols, or combinations thereof, as well as papers, maps, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, or other means of recording. Our priority is to provide mandated services, which may be enhanced and supplemented by additional services to improve the quality of life for all our citizens within the constraints of sound fiscal policy. The freedom of information act permits, but does not require, a public body to withhold from public disclosure certain categories of public records under the act. The freedom of information act gives citizens the right of access to most public records. In michigan, the freedom of information act regulates and sets requirements for the disclosure of public records by all public bodies. The response from your office on february 4, 2015, did not include any information that was requested.
It does not matter what form the requested public record is in. The michigan freedom of information act is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels in the state. Michigan freedom of information act mifoia or the act state law designed to guarantee public access to public records of government bodies at all levels of michigan government. This pamphlet has been prepared to help you understand your rights under michigans freedom of information act. Michigans sunshine laws foia basics of michigans freedom of. Michigan foia laws national freedom of information.
Please include the words foia or foia request in communication related to requests for public records and submit them to. Training catalog michigan municipal risk management authority. The michigan freedom of information act was passed in 1976 as a way to ensure public access to government records. Rebecca nelson director and freedom of information act officer. The scope of information available to the public, upon request, is nothing less than staggering. The michigan freedom of information act entitles all persons, except those incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees.
Policy of the act the policy it is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees, consistent with. The requester may have to perform research to find the proper agency office to handle. June 2016 gao16248 united states government accountability office. The michigan freedom of information act, enacted in 1977, is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels in michigan. The michigan freedom of information act gives the public the right to request to inspect and receive copies of public records, and to subscribe to regular issuances of public records. The person must sufficiently describe the records he or she seeks. Flint was started by a fur trader, but its modern heritage largely comes from its role as a leading manufacturer of cars. The michigan freedom of information act requires a response to this request within five days. Freedom of information act central bank of nigeria. The first version of the law was enacted by the state legislature in 1977. Michigans freedom of information act foia, 1976 pa 442, provides that certain persons can receive copies or make inspections of most public records of public bodies upon written request.
The university of michigans freedom of information act office is located at. Do research and determine if you need to make a foia request, then get ready. I l this act shall be known and may be cited as the freedom of information act 2 it is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state. You may be required to pay for costs incurred in retrieving or copying such records. Feb 26, 2018 learn about michigan s freedom of information act at march 12 event. Labor cost for copying duplication this is the cost of labor directly associated with duplication of publication, including making paper copies. Michigan state university freedom of information act office 408 west circle drive room 1, olds hall east lansing, mi 48824 phone. Freedom of information act act 442 of 1976 an act to provide for public access to certain public records of public bodies. As the chief law enforcement officer for michigan, i. Southwestern michigan college freedom of information act foia. Plenty, if used as postage on a freedom of information act foia request.
Msu freedom of information act processing effective date july 1, 2015 summary section 1 of the michigan freedom of information act foia or the statute provides, it is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete. Section 5 2 of the michigan freedom of information act requires a public body to respond to a request for a public record within 5 business days. The foia is a tremendous tool for anyone involved in legal matters with local, state, or federal. Freedom of information act request pdf freedom of information act appeal form pdf freedom of information act fee waiver pdf foia guidelines and policy pdf foia policy summary pdf. If access is wrongfully denied, citizens are authorized to bring suit. The michigan freedom of information act declares that it is the states policy to give all persons full information about the actions of the government and that the people shall be informed so that they may participate in the democratic process. The mission of kent county government is to be an effective and efficient steward in delivering quality services for our diverse community. You are entitled under section 10 of the michigan freedom of information act, mcl 15. Freedom of information act requests received by selected federal agencies in. The foia sets requirements for the disclosure of public records by all public bodies.
Department of labor can improve management of its program. Pdf evaluative study of the freedom of information act on. The seminar will provide clear and concise procedural guidelines as contained within the mmrma foia coordinator handbook and open meetings act handbook, both of which will be provided to each participant. Section 1 of the michigan freedom of information act foia or the statute provides, it is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who. Consistent with the michigan freedom of information act foia, public act 442 of 1976, mcl 15. The university of michigan s freedom of information act office is located at. Public act 563 of 2014 made significant changes to foia concerning fees. Freedom of information act michigan state university. The michigan freedom of information act is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels in michigan. It is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated. You may fax your foia request to 810 9853463 or by mail to the. Freedom of information act foia the freedom of information act establishes a citizens legal right to access government records and information upon request. Ten mostused freedom of information act b3 exemption statutes, the agencies that used them most, and the number of times agencies reported using them for fiscal years 20102016 43 table 5.
Many states and the federal government took up the cause of expanding. Fees charged for duplicating will be based on guidelines provided by the universitys department of logistical services. I understand that the city must respond to this request within five 5 business days after receiving it, and that response may include taking a 10business day extension. The following costs are being charged in compliance with section 4 of the michigan freedom of information act, mcl 15. The michigan freedom of information act permits persons to request copies of public records. The information obtained from this site is not intended to replace official versions of that information and is. Open meetings actfreedom of information act michigan municipal. As the chief law enforcement officer for michigan, i encourage you to know your rights under the michigan freedom of information act foia. Michigan sample foia request national freedom of information. As the chief law enforcement officer for michigan, i encourage you to know your.
The michigan freedom of information act declares tha. An act to provide for public access to certain public records of public bodies. The freedom of information act establishes a citizens legal right to access government records and information upon request. Michigan compiled laws complete through pa 84 of 2020. Michigan s freedom of information act foia, 1976 pa 442, provides that certain persons can receive copies or make inspections of most public records of public bodies upon written request. Michigan freeedom of information act proposed statutory revisions act 442 of 1976. Michigan freedom of information act request for public. The freedom of information actcarry a big stick, michigan bar journal. Download the university of michigan s freedom of information act procedures and guidelines document. Michigan freedom of information freedom of information acts. The nononsense guide to the michigan freedom of information act illustrates in plain language how and why you might use foia laws to obtain government documents.
Contaminated water, lead poisoning and legionaries disease sounds like a crisis from another era, but it occurred in flint, michigan, starting in april 2014. Also, the city of pontiac may charge fees to fulfill. Download the university of michigans freedom of information act procedures and guidelines document. In simple language, describe the documents you seek. The guide should be useful for people involved in the political process, as well as for businesses that work or want to work on government contracts. Attorney general opinions relating to the freedom of information act. Michigan freedom of information act, public act 442 of 1976, mcl 15. The michigan legislature website is a free service of the legislative internet technology team in cooperation with the michigan legislative council, the michigan house of representatives, and the michigan senate. Download the 2017 annual report of the university of michigan foia office. Communicate to county elected officials, department heads, employees, and the public the formal county policy on freedom of information requests. Michigan freedom of information act mifoia or the act state law designed to guarantee public access to public records of government bodies at all levels of michigan.
Some records are exempt from public disclosure by the michigan freedom of information act or other statutes. Freedom of information act muskegon county, michigan. Recent amendments to the foia took effect july 1, 2015. The provisions of the law are included in mcl michigan compiled laws sections 15. Pdf this study evaluates the freedom of information act on. As you know, the law allows for five 5 business days to respond. Freedom of information act act 442 of 1976 an act to. Freedom of information act, public act 442 of 1976, mcl 15. Freedom of information act foia michigan department of. The foia gives citizens the right of access to most public records. The michigan economic development corporation, in collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, markets michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies, and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state. Appendix 3 overview of the michigan freedom of information act. A freedom of information act foia request was sent electronically and mailed to your office on january 27, 2015, in attempt to obtain information.
Company representing street address city statezip code 3. I understand that the township must respond to this request within five 5 business. As this is a matter of public policy, i request that. The michigan legislature website is a free service of the legislative service bureau in cooperation with the michigan legislative council, the michigan house of representatives, the michigan senate, and the library of michigan.
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