OPRA stands for the Open Public Records Act. This significant legislation is a state law enacted in New Jersey.
Understanding the Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
The primary goal of the Open Public Records Act is to enhance transparency and accountability within government. It achieves this by providing the public with increased access to records maintained by public agencies throughout New Jersey.
Key Aspects and Purpose:
- Public Access: OPRA grants individuals the right to request and obtain government records. This includes a wide array of documents, data, and information held by state and local public entities.
- Scope in Legislature: Specifically, government records accessible from Legislative offices under OPRA are primarily legislative records, covering the work and proceedings of the state's legislative body.
- Empowerment: The act empowers citizens to monitor government activities, ensuring that public information is readily available and not withheld arbitrarily.
How OPRA Functions:
Under OPRA, citizens can submit requests to public agencies for specific records. Agencies are then obligated to respond to these requests within a defined timeframe, providing the requested information unless it falls under one of the statutory exemptions designed to protect privacy or maintain the integrity of ongoing investigations, among other reasons.
| Acronym | Full Name | Jurisdiction | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPRA | Open Public Records Act | New Jersey | To provide public access to government records. |
For more detailed information regarding the Open Public Records Act and public access to legislative records in New Jersey, you can visit the official New Jersey Legislature website.
