The state's Office of Open Records has ruled that government agencies are not permitted to charge fees if people requesting public records wish to use their smartphones to photograph the records they are examining.
The ruling, issued Friday, concerned a case in Reserve.
When Todd Muenz submitted a right-to-know request to the township, seeking "to inspect records regarding expenses incurred by the Township for its involvement with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners ... including expenses such as lodging, meals, golf outings, and fuel," he was told he could inspect the records but not photograph them. He was told he could pay for copies of the records.
The Office of Open Records ruled "prohibiting the photographing of documents would be contrary to the purpose of the [Right to Know Law], which is to 'maximize access to government records.'"
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