Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 42.56 - Public Records Act.
42.56.030 - Construction.

RCW 42.56.030
Construction.

The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments that they have created. This chapter shall be liberally construed and its exemptions narrowly construed to promote this public policy and to assure that the public interest will be fully protected. In the event of conflict between the provisions of this chapter and any other act, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.

[ 2007 c 197 § 2; 2005 c 274 § 283; 1992 c 139 § 2. Formerly RCW 42.17.251.]

Structure Revised Code of Washington

Revised Code of Washington

Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies

Chapter 42.56 - Public Records Act.

42.56.001 - Finding, purpose.

42.56.010 - Definitions.

42.56.020 - Short title.

42.56.030 - Construction.

42.56.040 - Duty to publish procedures.

42.56.050 - Invasion of privacy, when.

42.56.060 - Disclaimer of public liability.

42.56.070 - Documents and indexes to be made public—Statement of costs.

42.56.080 - Identifiable records—Facilities for copying—Availability of public records.

42.56.090 - Times for inspection and copying—Posting on website.

42.56.100 - Protection of public records—Public access.

42.56.110 - Destruction of information relating to employee misconduct.

42.56.120 - Charges for copying.

42.56.130 - Other provisions not superseded.

42.56.140 - Public records exemptions accountability committee.

42.56.141 - Public records exemptions accountability committee—Wolf depredation information exemption.

42.56.150 - Training—Local elected and statewide elected officials.

42.56.152 - Training—Public records officers.

42.56.155 - Assistance by attorney general.

42.56.210 - Certain personal and other records exempt.

42.56.230 - Personal information.

42.56.235 - Religious affiliation exemption.

42.56.240 - Investigative, law enforcement, and crime victims.

42.56.250 - Employment and licensing.

42.56.260 - Real estate transactions.

42.56.270 - Financial, commercial, and proprietary information.

42.56.280 - Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, intra-agency memorandums.

42.56.290 - Agency party to controversy.

42.56.300 - Archaeological sites.

42.56.310 - Library records.

42.56.315 - Certain student information.

42.56.320 - Educational information.

42.56.325 - Statewide electronic repository for school meals.

42.56.330 - Public utilities and transportation.

42.56.335 - Public utility districts and municipally owned electrical utilities—Restrictions on access by law enforcement authorities.

42.56.350 - Health professionals.

42.56.355 - Interstate medical licensure compact.

42.56.360 - Health care.

42.56.365 - Vital records.

42.56.370 - Client records of domestic violence programs, or community sexual assault programs or services for underserved populations.

42.56.375 - Sexual misconduct—Postsecondary educational institutions—Personal information of witnesses and victims.

42.56.380 - Agriculture and livestock.

42.56.390 - Emergency or transitional housing.

42.56.400 - Insurance and financial institutions.

42.56.403 - Property and casualty insurance statements of actuarial opinion.

42.56.410 - Employment security department records, certain purposes.

42.56.420 - Security.

42.56.422 - Office of cybersecurity—Reports and information.

42.56.430 - Fish and wildlife.

42.56.440 - Veterans' discharge papers—Exceptions.

42.56.450 - Check cashers and sellers licensing applications.

42.56.460 - Fireworks and explosives.

42.56.470 - Correctional industries workers.

42.56.475 - Department of corrections.

42.56.510 - Duty to disclose or withhold information—Otherwise provided.

42.56.520 - Prompt responses required.

42.56.530 - Review of agency denial.

42.56.540 - Court protection of public records.

42.56.550 - Judicial review of agency actions.

42.56.560 - Application of RCW 42.56.550.

42.56.565 - Inspection or copying by persons serving criminal sentences—Injunction.

42.56.570 - Explanatory pamphlet—Advisory model rules—Consultation and training services.

42.56.580 - Public records officers.

42.56.590 - Personal information—Notice of security breaches.

42.56.592 - Personal information—Covered entities.

42.56.594 - Personal information—Consumer protection.

42.56.600 - Mediation communications.

42.56.610 - Certain information from dairies and feedlots limited—Rules.

42.56.615 - Enumeration data used by the office of financial management for population estimates.

42.56.620 - Cannabis research licensee reports.

42.56.625 - Medical cannabis authorization database.

42.56.630 - Registration information of members of cooperatives to produce and process medical cannabis.

42.56.640 - Vulnerable individuals, in-home caregivers for vulnerable populations.

42.56.645 - Release of public information—2017 c 4 (Initiative Measure No. 1501).

42.56.650 - Health carrier data.

42.56.655 - Explosives exemption report.

42.56.660 - Agency employee records.

42.56.665 - Agency employee records—Civil liability.

42.56.670 - Agency employee records—Model policies.

42.56.675 - Agency employee records—Lists of names.

42.56.680 - Residential real property information and borrower personal information.

42.56.690 - Victim and witness notification program.

42.56.900 - Purpose—2005 c 274 §§ 402-429.

42.56.904 - Intent—2007 c 391.