Legal Hotline

Q: A local agency requires citizens to notify the agency 48 hours in advance and get permission if they plan to record public meetings. The policy also threatens criminal sanctions […]

Q: Many local agencies routinely take a 30-calendar-day extension to respond to Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) requests, usually citing the need for legal review or due to staffing limitations, even for […]

Q: I filed a Right-to-Know request asking to inspect records. I want to look at the records to help me decide which are most relevant, and to reduce copy fees. […]

Q: A local agency prohibits members of the public from raising an objection about Sunshine Act compliance during public meetings and restricts objections to the public comment portion of the […]

Q: I want to review a private criminal complaint, but the magisterial district judge (MDJ) is telling me I can’t have a copy until the district attorney approves it. When […]

Q: What are the rules when using collegiate team names, logos, and NCAA trademarks like “March Madness” and “Final Four” in advertising? A:  Advertisers cannot use team, individual or National […]

Q: Are settlement agreements involving public agencies considered public records? Can an agency rely upon a confidentiality clause in a settlement agreement to deny access?  A:  Settlement agreements between public […]

Q: Does HIPAA prevent hospitals from releasing any and all information about patients? Does HIPAA restrict our ability to publish medical information? A:  While HIPAA prohibits unauthorized release of individually […]

Q: What documentation should news media organizations get from advertisers when allowing “adult 55+,” “retirement community,” “senior housing” and similar terminology in a housing ad? A:  Publishers are generally not […]