Public Records Officers, Check Your Email – JLARC Needs Your Help!

In 2023, the legislature amended RCW 42.56.250, via ESHB 1533, to create a new Public Records Act (PRA) exemption. The exemption allows public agencies to withhold the names and work contact information of agency employees if they or their dependents are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, or stalking or are otherwise enrolled in the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP). The new exemption has some unique implementation issues and generates a lot of questions, which I covered in the blog New PRA Exemption Available to Protect Employee Safety.  

As part of the law, the legislature charged the Joint Legislative and Research Committee (JLARC), to analyze the impacts of this new exemption and report back by May 1, 2025. Specifically, JLARC must report whether the exemption effectively protects employees and their dependents and whether the exemption should be maintained or modified.  

To that end, JLARC has prepared a survey asking for feedback from Public Records Officers (PRO). JLARC will then use that information to further guide their research.  

JLARC is asking every public agency that is subject to the PRA – counties, cities, state agencies, special purpose districts, library districts, etc. – to have their PRO complete the survey, even if your agency has not yet needed to use the exemption. 

In addition to responding to the survey, JLARC is asking respondents to attach their agency’s policies, procedures, or communications related to implementing the new exemption. 

You can learn more about the survey by reviewing these frequently asked questions or contact Andrew Hatt at (360) 786-5187 or andrew.hatt@leg.wa.gov. JLARC has sent an email with a survey link, but if your PRO did not receive one, please contact the survey team at the links above. 

Please make sure your agency PRO completes the survey by September 3, 2024.