91-A:1 Preamble. – Openness in the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people. Source. 1967, 251:1. 1971, 327:1. 1977, 540:1, eff. […]
91-A:1-a Definitions. – In this chapter: I. " Advisory committee " means any committee, council, commission, or other like body whose primary purpose is to consider an issue or issues designated by the appointing authority so as to provide such authority with advice or recommendations concerning the formulation of any public policy or legislation […]
91-A:10 Release of Statistical Tables and Limited Data Sets for Research. – I. In this subdivision: (a) " Agency " means each state board, commission, department, institution, officer or other state official or group. (b) " Agency head " means the head of any governmental agency which is responsible for the collection and use […]
91-A:11 to 91-A:15 Repealed by 2005, 3:2, eff. Nov. 1, 2010. –
91-A:2 Meetings Open to Public. – I. For the purpose of this chapter, a " meeting " means the convening of a quorum of the membership of a public body, as defined in RSA 91-A:1-a, VI, or the majority of the members of such public body if the rules of that body define "quorum" […]
91-A:2-a Communications Outside Meetings. – I. Unless exempted from the definition of "meeting" under RSA 91-A:2, I, public bodies shall deliberate on matters over which they have supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power only in meetings held pursuant to and in compliance with the provisions of RSA 91-A:2, II or III. II. Communications outside […]
91-A:2-b Repealed by 2012, 232:14, eff. Dec. 1, 2012. –
91-A:3 Nonpublic Sessions. – I. (a) Public bodies shall not meet in nonpublic session, except for one of the purposes set out in paragraph II. No session at which evidence, information, or testimony in any form is received shall be closed to the public, except as provided in paragraph II. No public body may […]
91-A:4 Minutes and Records Available for Public Inspection. – I. Every citizen during the regular or business hours of all public bodies or agencies, and on the regular business premises of such public bodies or agencies, has the right to inspect all governmental records in the possession, custody, or control of such public bodies […]
91-A:5 Exemptions. – The following governmental records are exempted from the provisions of this chapter: I. Records of grand and petit juries. I-a. The master jury list as defined in RSA 500-A:1, IV. II. Records of parole and pardon boards. III. Personal school records of pupils, including the name of the parent or legal […]
91-A:5-a Limited Purpose Release. – Records from non-public sessions under RSA 91-A:3, II(i) or that are exempt under RSA 91-A:5, VI may be released to local or state safety officials. Records released under this section shall be marked "limited purpose release" and shall not be redisclosed by the recipient. Source. 2002, 222:5, eff. Jan. […]
91-A:6 Employment Security. – This chapter shall apply to RSA 282-A, relative to employment security; however, in addition to the exemptions under RSA 91-A:5, the provisions of RSA 282-A:117-123 shall also apply; this provision shall be administered and construed in the spirit of that section, and the exemptions from the provisions of this chapter […]
[RSA 91-A:7 effective until July 1, 2025; see also RSA 91-A:7 set out below.] 91-A:7 Violation. – I. Any person aggrieved by a violation of this chapter may petition the superior court for injunctive relief. In order to satisfy the purposes of this chapter, the courts shall give proceedings under this chapter high priority […]
[RSA 91-A:7-a repealed by 2022, 250:6, effective July 1, 2025.] 91-A:7-a Office Established. – There is hereby established the office of the right-to-know ombudsman to be administratively attached to the department of state under RSA 21-G:10. The ombudsman shall be appointed by the governor and council and shall have the following minimum qualifications: I. […]
[RSA 91-A:7-b repealed by 2022, 250:6, effective July 1, 2025.] 91-A:7-b Complaint Process. – I. Any party aggrieved by a violation of this chapter shall have the option to either petition the superior court or file a signed, written complaint, along with a $25 fee, with the office of the ombudsman, established under RSA […]
[RSA 91-A:7-c repealed by 2022, 250:6, effective July 1, 2025.] 91-A:7-c Appeal and Enforcement. – I. Any party may appeal the ombudsman’s final ruling to the superior court by filing a notice of appeal in superior court no more than 30 calendar days after the ombudsman’s ruling is issued. The ombudsman’s ruling shall be […]
[RSA 91-A:7-d repealed by 2022, 250:6, effective July 1, 2025.] 91-A:7-d Rulemaking. – The ombudsman shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to: I. Establishing procedures to streamline the process of resolving complaints under this chapter. II. Hearing procedures. III. Other matters necessary to the proper administration of RSA 91-A:7-a through RSA 91-A:7-c. […]
91-A:8 Remedies. – I. If any public body or public agency or officer, employee, or other official thereof, violates any provisions of this chapter, such public body or public agency shall be liable for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in a lawsuit under this chapter, provided that the court finds that such lawsuit […]
91-A:8-a Repealed by 2017, 126:2, eff. November 1, 2017. –
91-A:9 Destruction of Certain Information Prohibited. – A person is guilty of a misdemeanor who knowingly destroys any information with the purpose to prevent such information from being inspected or disclosed in response to a request under this chapter. If a request for inspection is denied on the grounds that the information is exempt […]
