This page provides links to MRSC's resources related to the Public Records Act (PRA) in Washington State.
COVID-19 Update: Due to the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Inslee and the state legislative leaders have issued several temporary waivers and prohibitions related to the Public Records Act. For more information, see:
These orders do not relieve agencies from otherwise complying with the PRA during the COVID-19 emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Public Records Act FAQs – Browse frequently asked questions (FAQs) from local governments regarding the Public Records Act in Washington State
Overview
Electronic Records
- Managing Electronic Records – General guidance on how to manage the retention of electronic public records, including some practice tips and do's and don'ts
- Electronic Records Policy Tool Kit – Series of webpages focused on providing sample policy language options and detailed guidance for the various facets of electronic records retention, management, and disclosure, including email, text, and social media
- PRA & Records Management Technology Guide – Downloadable guide offering key questions to consider before purchasing records management software, an overview of software options, suggested guidelines for evaluating and selecting software, and more
Law Enforcement Records
Publications
- Public Records Act publication – Downloadable publication offers a detailed outline of PRA, common prohibitions and exemptions, and more
- PRA & Records Management Technology Guide – Downloadable guide offering key questions to consider before purchasing records management software, an overview of software options, suggested guidelines for evaluating and selecting software, and more
Practice Tips and Checklists
Recent Blog Posts
- Recent blog posts about PRA – Articles written by MRSC staff and contributors about specific aspects of PRA, including new legislation and court decisions. Articles are listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent first
Training Opportunities
State law requires local elected officials and public records officers to complete open government training no later than 90 days after taking the oath of office or assuming their duties, with a refresher course at least every four years
MRSC and our partner organizations provide training opportunities that can help local officials fulfill these requirements.
PRA and OPMA E-Learning for City/Town Elected Officials
MRSC partners with the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) to produce two free e-learning courses for city and town councilmembers and mayors, one dealing with the Public Records Act (40 minutes) and the other with the Open Public Meetings Act (45 minutes). These courses can help fulfill the Open Government Trainings Act requirements.
After completing each training, make sure to download your certificate of completion for documentation purposes.
Other Training Opportunities
For other upcoming open government trainings and workshops, see our Training page.