For public servants:
1. Become familiar with the Act's requirements. If you have questions about
the application of the Act to records in your possession or under your control,
address those questions to your legal counsel.
2. Assure that the Act's requirements that public records be available for
inspection and copying are satisfied.
3. Presume that all government records are open to public inspection and
copying, unless they fall within the definitions of the confidential records
found in Section 22.7 of the Act or other sections of the Code that provide
confidentiality.
4. When denying access to any government record specify what section of
the Code provides confidentiality.
For citizens seeking access to government records:
1. Identify as specifically as possible the record(s) you seek to inspect
and/or copy.
2. If your request for access involves voluminous records, understand that
some reasonable delay may be involved before the lawful custodian of the
record(s) can provide all of the records requested and a suitable place
where you may examine them.
3. If you anticipate that your request for access to records will be denied,
you may want to make that request in writing, addressed to the lawful custodian
of the record(s) sought, and request that the lawful custodian issue a written
denial of access. In this way, you will create documentary evidence that
your request for a government record was denied, and you will avoid confusion
about whether the lawful custodian was delaying in order to seek an injunction
against examination as allowed under Section 22.8 of the Act.
Table of Contents
Rules of Thumb: Chapter
21
Introduction
Sustaining/First Amendment Members
Iowa Code: Chapter 21
Questions About Chapter 21
Iowa Code: Chpater 22
Questions About Chapter 22
Notes and Additions