Open Government Guide for New York State

7/27/2019 Open Government Guide for New York State

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New York

Open

GOvernment

Guide

Accss t Public rcdsand Mtings in

Sixth editin2011


2/66.


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OpenGOvernmentGuide newY

The RepoRTeRsCommiTTeefoRfReedomofThe pRess

openGoveRnmenTGuide

openReCoRdsandmeeTinGs Lawsin

New YorkPrepared by:

Michal J. Gygil, esq.Shahld, Mdia and entainmnt La Litigatin GupGreeNBerG TrAUrIG, LLP

54 Stat SttAlbany, N Y 12207

(518) [email protected]

Th auth gatully acnldgs th cmphnsiv sach assitanc pvidd by Calin B. Bancatlla and Alx T. Paadis, lititin assciats ith Gnbg Tauigs Albany c, and summ cl Jnni B. wjsi, Albany La Schl class 2012.

Sixth editin2011


4/66

NewYork opeNGoverNmeNtGuide

ii The RepoRTeRsCommiTTeefoRfReedomofThe pRess

oPeN GoVerNMeNT GUIDe

Accss t Public rcds and Mtings in

New York

SIXTH eDITIoN2011

Pviusly TitldTapping ocials Scts

Publishd by Th rpts Cmmitt Fdm th Pss

Lucy A. Dalglish, excutiv Dict

eDITorSGgg Lsli, Lgal Dns Dict

Ma Caamanica, Fdm Inmatin Dict

ASSISTANT eDITorSChistin Bctt, Jac Nlsn Lgal Fll

Aan Macyemily Ptsn

Pductin th sixth ditin this cmpndium as pssibldu t th gnus nancial cntibutins :

Th Stantn Fundatin

2011, 2006, 2001, 1997, 1993, 1989 by Th rpts Cmmitt Fdm th Pss.All ights svd. N pat this publicatin may b pducd in any m

by any mans ithut th pi, ittn pmissin th publish.

ISBN: 1-58078-235-3


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Intducty Nt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Uss Guid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

ForeworD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

opn rcds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

I. STATUTe -- BASIC APPLICATIoN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2A. wh can qust cds? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2B. whs cds a and a nt subjct t th act? . . . . . . . . . .3C. what cds a and a nt subjct t th act? . . . . . . . . . . .4D. F pvisins pactics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6e. wh ncs th act? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7F. A th sanctins nncmplianc? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

II. eXeMPTIoNS AND oTHer LeGAL LIMITATIoNS . . .7A. exmptins in th pn cds statut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7B. oth statuty xclusins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

C. Cut-divd xclusins, cmmn la phibitins,cgnizd pivilgs against disclsu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20D. A sggabl ptins cds cntaining xmpt matial

availabl? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20e. Hmland Scuity Masus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

III. STATe LAw oN eLeCTroNIC reCorDS . . . . . . . . . . .20A. Can th qust chs a mat civing cds? . . .20B. Can th qust btain a custmizd sach cmput

databass t t paticula nds? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20C. Ds th xistnc inmatin in lctnic mat act

its pnnss? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21D. H is -mail tatd? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21e. H a txt mssags and instant mssags tatd? . . . . . .21F. H a scial mdia pstings and mssags tatd? . . . . . .21

G. H a nlin discussin bad psts tatd? . . . . . . . . . . .21H. Cmput sta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21I. H a s lctnic cds assssd? . . . . . . . . . . . . .22J. Mny-maing schms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22k. on-lin dissminatin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

IV. reCorD CATeGorIeS -- oPeN or CLoSeD . . . . . . . .22A. Autpsy pts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22B. Administativ ncmnt cds (.g., saty and

halth inspctins, accidnt invstigatins) . . . . . . . . . . . .22C. Ban cds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22D. Budgts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22e. Businss cds, nancial data, tad scts. . . . . . . . . . . . .22F. Cntacts, ppsals and bids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22G. Cllctiv bagaining cds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23H. Cns pts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

I. ecnmic dvlpmnt cds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23J. elctin cds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23k. Gun pmits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23L. Hspital pts.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23M. Psnnl cds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23N. Plic cds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25o. Pisn, pal and pbatin pts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27P. Public utility cds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Q. ral stat appaisals, ngtiatins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28r. Schl and univsity cds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29S. Vital statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

V. ProCeDUre For oBTAINING reCorDS . . . . . . . . .A. H t stat.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. H lng t ait. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C . A d m i n i s t a t i v a p p a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

D. Cut actin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .e. Appaling initial cut dcisins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F. Addssing gvnmnt suits against disclsu.. . . . . . . . . .

opn Mtings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I. STATUTe -- BASIC APPLICATIoN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. wh may attnd? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. what gvnmnts a subjct t th la? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C. what bdis a cvd by th la? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. what cnstituts a mting subjct t th la. . . . . . . . . . . .e. Catgis mtings subjct t th la. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F. rcding/badcast mtings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G. A th sanctins nncmplianc? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

II. eXeMPTIoNS AND oTHer LeGAL LIMITATIoNS .A. exmptins in th pn mtings statut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. Any th statuty quimnts clsd pn mtin

45C. Cut mandatd pning, clsing.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

III. MeeTING CATeGorIeS -- oPeN or CLoSeD. . . . . .A. Adjudicatins by administativ bdis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. Budgt sssins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C. Businss and industy latins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. Fdal pgams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .e. Financial data public bdis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F. Financial data, tad scts ppitay data pivat

cpatins and individuals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G. Gits, tusts and hnay dgs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

H. Gand juy tstimny by public mplys. . . . . . . . . . . . . .I. Licnsing xaminatins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J. Litigatin; pnding litigatin th attny-clint

pivilgs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .k. Ngtiatins and cllctiv bagaining public mplysL. Pal bad mtings, mtings invlving pal bad

dcisins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M. Patints; discussins n individual patints. . . . . . . . . . . . . .N. Psnnl matts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .o. ral stat ngtiatins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. Scuity, natinal and/ stat, buildings, psnnl

th. 48Q. Studnts; discussins n individual studnts. . . . . . . . . . . . .

IV. ProCeDUre For ASSerTING rIGHT oF ACCeSS .A. whn t challng. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

B. H t stat.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. Cut vi administativ dcisin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. Appaling initial cut dcisins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

V. ASSerTING A rIGHT To CoMMeNT. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Statut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cntnts


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iv The RepoRTeRsCommiTTeefoRfReedomofThe pRess

Intducty Nt

Th oPeN GoVerNMeNT GUIDe is a cmp-hnsiv guid t pn gvnmnt la and pactic inach th 50 stats and th Distict Clumbia. Fity-n utlins dtail th ights pts and th citi-zns t s inmatin and attnd mtings stat andlcal gvnmnts.

Th oPeN GoVerNMeNT GUIDe pviusly

publishd as Tapping ocials Scts is th sl -nc n pn gvnmnt las in many stats.

wittn t ll a standad utlin t all asy cm-paisns btn stat las, th cmpndium has nabldpn gvnmnt advcats in n stat t us agumntssuccssul in th stats t nhanc accss ights at hm.Pss assciatins and lbbyists hav bn abl t invth sunshin las as thy s ms in thi n.

Vlunt attnys, xpt in pn gvnmnt las inach stat and in washingtn, D.C., gnusly dnatdthi tim t ppa th initial utlins th st inca-natin this pjct in 1989. In mst stats ths sam

attnys thi cls assciats updatd and tth utlins th 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2006 ditinsas ll this cunt 2011 ditin.

Attnys h a n t th cmpndium in this di-tin a als xpts in pn gvnmnt and accss is-sus, and a gatul t thm thi illingnss tsha in this nging pjct t cat th st and nlydtaild tatis n stat pn gvnmnt la. Th ichnldg and xpinc all th paticipating attnysbing t this pjct ma it a succss.

whil mst th initial uss this cmpndium junalists, n that lays and citizns hav

discvd it and nd it t b indispnsabl as ll.At its c, paticipaty dmcacy dcis lcd ls

and clsd ds. Gd citizns study thi gvns,challng th dcisins thy ma and ptitin vt chang hn chang is ndd. But n citizn can cayut ths spnsibilitis hn gvnmnt is sct.

Assuancs pn gvnmnt xist in th cmmnla, in th st stat las at clnizatin, in titiallas in th st and vn in stat cnstitutins. All stats

hav passd las quiing pnnss, tn in dict -spns t th scandals spand by gvnmnt sccy.Th U.S. Cngss stngthnd th dal Fdm Inmatin Act at watgat, and many stats l-ld suit.

Stats ith taditinally stng accss las includ V-mnt, hich pvids vitually unttd accss n many

lvls; Flida, hich as n th st stats t nacta sunshin la; and ohi, hs cuts hav issud sv-al accss-indly ulings. oth juisdictins, such asPnnsylvania and th Distict Clumbia, hav madsignicant changs t thi spctiv pn gvnmntlas sinc th th ditin as publishd dsignd tst gat public accss t inmatin. Histically,Pnnsylvania had a putatin as bing lativly nn-tanspant hil th Distict Clumbia as nn thav a vy stictiv pn mtings la.

Sm public cials in stat and lcal gvnmnts had t achiv and nc pn gvnmnt las.

Th mvmnt tad stat dm inmatincmplianc cs fcts a ging activism accsst inmatin in th stats.

But such cial dispsitin tad pnnss is xcp-tinal. Hadly a day gs by hn dnt ha that astat lcal gvnmnt is tying t stict accss tcds that hav taditinally bn public usually b-caus it is ad las th cds ill vilat sm-ns pivacy thatn u natins scuity.

It is in this climat tnsin btn bad dm-catic mandats pnnss and cial pnc sccy that pts and gd citizns nd t gan

thi sucs t nsu th passag and succss pngvnmnt las.

Th rpts Cmmitt gnuinly hps that thoPeN GoVerNMeNT GUIDe ill hlp a vig-us pss and citizny t shap and achiv dmands pnnss, and that it ill sv as a pim ths hbattl in gvnmnt cs and in th cuts accsst cds and mtings. whn challngs t sccy asuccssul, th ns is btt and s is th gvnmnt.


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Uss Guid

whth yu a using a guid m n stat t nd aspcic ans t an accss issu, th cmplt cm-pndium ncmpassing all stats t suvy appachs ta paticula aspct pn gvnmnt la aund thcunty, ning a basics n h th oPeN GoV-erNMeNT GUIDe is st up ill hlp yu t gt thmst ut it.

Following the outline. evy stat sctin is basd n thsam standad utlin. Th utlin is dividd int tpats: accss t cds and accss t mtings.

Stat by viing th tabl cntnts ach stat.It includs th st t tis that stats utlin. oncyu a amilia ith th stuctu th utlin, ndingspcic inmatin is simpl. Typically, th utlin b-gins by dscibing th gnal stuctu th stat la,thn pvids dtaild tpical listings xplaining accssplicis spcic inds cds mtings.

evy stat utlin lls th standad utlin, butth ill b sm vaiatins. Sm cntibuts addditms ithin th utlin, mittd subpints und inth cmplt utlin hich nt lvant t thatstats la. each chang as mad t t th nds apaticula stats las and pactics.

In gnal, utlin pints that appa in bldac typa pat th standad utlin, hil additinal tpicsill appa in italicizd typ.

whth yu a using n stat utlin any numb utlins, thin yu ill nd th utlin m hlp-ul in nding spcic inmatin quicly ithut havingt ad an nti statut sach thugh many cutcass. But hn yu d nd t cnsult statuts, yu illnd th cmplt txt th lvant ptins at th nd ach utlin.

Additinal cpis individual stat blts, th

cmpndium cving th 50 stats and th Distict Clumbia, can b dd m Th rpts Cmmit-t Fdm th Pss, 1101 wilsn Blvd., Suit1100, Alingtn, Viginia 22209, by calling (703) 807-2100. Th cmpndium is availabl in lctnic matn CD.

Th stat utlins als a availabl n u wld-widwb sit, .cp.g/gg. Th Intnt vsin thutlins alls yu t sach th databas and cmpath la in dint stats.

Updates: Th rpts Cmmitt publishd nditins THe oPeN GoVerNMeNT GUIDe1989, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2006, and n in 2011. w pct utu updats t ll n appximatly th saschdul. I bcm aa mistas matmissins in this , ill pst ntics n this pcts pag n u wld-wid wb sit, at .cp.gg. This ds nt man that th utlins ill cnstanb updatd n th sit it simply mans nn ill b cctd th.

F u many ads h a nt lays: This bis dsignd t hlp junalists, lays, and citizns u

dstand and us stat pn cds and mtings laAlthugh th guids ittn by lays, thy dsignd t b usul t and adabl by nnlaysll. Hv, sm th lmnts lgal iting mb unamilia t lay ads. A quic vvi smths custms shuld suc t hlp yu v any hud

Lays a taind t giv a lgal citatin mstatmnts la. Th nam a cut cas numb a statut may th b tacd n t th nd sntnc. This may l li a sntnc agmnt, mlav yu nding i sm inmatin abut that cas mittd. Nthing as lt ut; inclusin a lcitatin pvids a nc t th cas statut supting th statmnt and pvids a shthand mth idntiying that authity, shuld yu nd t lcat

Lgal citatin m als indicats h th la canund in cial pts th lgal digsts. Typicaa cit t a cut cas ill b lld by th vlum apag numbs a lgal pt. Mst stat cass illund in th stat pt, a lag ginal pt,bth. A cas cit ading 123 A.2d 456 mans th cculd b und in th Atlantic (ginal) pt, scsis, vlum 123, stating at pag 456.

Nt that th cmplt citatin a cas is tn giv

nly nc. w hav tid t liminat as many cypscnd-nc cits as pssibl, but yu may ncut cits li Jacsn at 321. This mans that th authis ing yu t pag 321 a cas citd ali that cluds th nam Jacsn. Auths may als us th supa ina t t a discussin a cas appaali lat in th utlin, spctivly.

excpt ths lgal citatin ms, mst lgalhas bn avidd. w hp this ill ma this guid maccssibl t vyn.


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The RepoRTeRsCommiTTeefoRfReedomofThe pRess Pag

Ppad by:

Michal J. Gygil, esq.Shahld, Mdia and entainmnt La Litigatin Gup

GreeNBerG TrAUrIG, LLP54 Stat Stt

Albany, N Y 12207(518) 689-1400

[email protected]

Th auth gatully acnldgs th cmphnsiv sachassitanc pvidd by Calin B. Bancatlla and Alx T. Paadis,

litigatin assciats ith Gnbg Tauigs Albany c, andsumm cl Jnni B. wjsi, Albany La Schl class 2012.

ForeworD

Stating that a scity can b maintaind nly hn gvn-mnt is pn and accssibl t its citizns, th Gvn N Ysignd th Stats st Fdm Inmatin La in 1974 (1974N.Y. Las chs. 578, 579, 580 (Appval Mssag N. 47)). As iginal-ly nactd, th la spcid ths cds gvnmnt t hich thpublic uld hav unimpaid accss; quid all agncis th stat lcal gvnmnts t ma such cds availabl public inspc-tin and cpying; quid agncis t maintain lists all availabl

cds pducd at Sptmb 1, 1974; and catd a Cmmittn Public Accss t rcds (n th Cmmitt n opn Gvn-mnt) t advis agncis and municipalitis and t pmulgat ulsand gulatins ith spct t th administatin th n la.

Th 1974 Fdm Inmatin La as pald and nactdin 1977 (1977 N.Y. Las ch. 933). Li its pdcss, th n nact-mnt pnd ith a lgislativ dclaatin ading as lls:

Th lgislatu hby nds that a scity is maintaind hngvnmnt is spnsiv and spnsibl t th public, and hnth public is aa gvnmntal actins. Th m pn agvnmnt is ith its citizny, th gat th undstandingand paticipatin th public in gvnmnt. As stat and l-cal gvnmnt svics incas and public pblms bcmm sphisticatd and cmplx and th had t slv,

and ith th sultant incas in vnus and xpnditus, itis incumbnt upn th stat and its lcalitis t xtnd public ac-cuntability hv and hnv asibl. Th ppls ightt n th pcss gvnmntal dcisin-maing and tvi th dcumnts and statistics lading t dtminatins isbasic t u scity. Accss t such inmatin shuld nt bthatd by shuding it ith th cla sccy cndn-tiality. Th lgislatu th dclas that gvnmnt is thpublics businss and that th public, individually and cllctivlyand psntd by a pss, shuld hav accss t th cds gvnmnt in accdanc ith th pvisins this aticl.

Th mst signicant chang in th -nactd Fdm Inma-tin La as a vsal th pvius las psumptin that cdsuld b unavailabl unlss alling ithin spcid, limitd catgis availabl dcumnts. As ittn in 1977 and cntinuing thughth psnt, N Ys Fdm Inmatin La stats that allcds a availabl t th public unlss thy all ithin n thlas xmptins.

Th statut xmpts th lling cds m disclsu: (1)ths xmpt m disclsu by stat dal statut; (2) thshich i disclsd uld cnstitut an unaantd invasin pi-vacy; (3) ths hich i disclsd uld impai cntact aads cllctiv bagaining ngtiatins; (4) ths cntaining tad scts;(5) ths cmpild la ncmnt pupss, und ctain sp-cic cicumstancs; (6) ths hich i disclsd uld ndang li saty; (7) ths cntaining xaminatin qustins anss; (8)int-agncy inta-agncy matials hich a nith statisticaln actual data, instuctins t sta acting th public, nal agn-

cy plicy dtminatins, xtnal audits, including ths pmd by th cmptll and dal gvnmnt; (9) ths hi disclsd uld jpadiz th scuity an agncys inmattchnlgy; (10) cmput accss cds; and (11) tac-cntl sigphtgaphs.

Anth signicant chang in th visd Fdm InmatLa as th quimnt that agncis pduc cpy cdsqusts ing t pay a stipulatd . This cntasts ith th li las dictiv t ma cds availabl t an individual hi

h inspctin and cpying.Th 1977 visin mains lagly in plac tday. Th hav b

a numb lgislativ amndmnts adding t ning its dtbut thy hav nt signicantly mdid th las basic stuctu. o th m imptant amndmnts ccud in 1982 ith th adtin a pvisin authizing an aad attnys s t qus in ctain instancs (1982 N.Y. Las ch. 73). In 1989 a pvisas addd maing it a vilatin any psn t illully cncadsty any cd ith th intnt t pvnt public inspctin. (1N.Y. Las ch. 705).

In May 2005, FoIL as amndd t ma m spcic th tams availabl t an agncy in hich t spnd t a qustcds. oth amndmnts a ntd, h apppiat, in th b th txt that lls.

Pusuant t an amndmnt hich bcam la in 2006, all agcis hich hav asnabl mans availabl a quid t accqusts cds in mail mat and t spnd in -mail hn qustd t d s.

Futh, lgislatin ctiv August 7, 2008 cntains amndmfcting advancs in inmatin tchnlgy and th csts assciaith pviding accss t inmatin that is maintaind lctnicTh 2008 amndmnts a discussd thughut th utlin bl

Open meetings law

In 1976, N Y nactd an opn Mtings La (oM(Chapt 511 th Las 1976, ctiv Januay 1, 1977). Tnactmnt pnd ith a lgislativ dclaatin pups, st in Public ocs La 100, as lls:

It is ssntial t th maintnanc a dmcatic scity that public businss b pmd in an pn and public mann and tth citizns this stat b ully aa and abl t bsv th pmanc public cials and attnd and listn t th dlibatiand dcisins that g int th maing public plicy. Th pmust b abl t main inmd i thy a t tain cntl ths h a thi public svants. It is th nly climat und hth cmmnal ill psp and nabl th gvnmntal pcspat th bnt ths h catd it.

A Cmmitt n opn Gvnmnt has bn stablishd itth N Y Dpatmnt Stat, as mandatd by th N YFdm Inmatin La. N.Y. Pub. o. La 89(1) (Mckin1988). Th Cmmitt shall issu advisy pinins m timtim as, in its disctin, may b quid t inm public bdis

psns th intptatins th pvisins th opn MtiLa. N.Y. Pub. o. La 109 (Mckinny 1988). Th Cmmittadvisy pinins, hil nt binding, shuld b cditd hn ta nith iatinal n unasnabl.

Th Cmmitt may b cntactd as lls: Cmmitt n oGvnmnt, rbt Fman, excutiv Dict, 41 Stat StAlbany, N Y 12231. Tl. (518) 474-2518, ax (518) 474-1927mail [email protected]. Th txt th statuts, many advispinins, FAQs and th inmatin a availabl at th Cmmts b sit:http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/coogwww.html

Sval amndmnts hav bn mad t th statut sinc its actmnt in 1976. Th mst signicant ths lat t th statuxmptin pvisin, Public ocs La 108. In 1977, an am


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mnt as adptd t spcically pvid that th pcdings thpublic svic cmmissin a nt xmpt m th opn MtingsLa (1977 N.Y. Las ch. 532). A 1983 amndmnt mas th p-cdings zning bads appals subjct t th las pvisins(1983 N.Y. Las ch. 80). A 1985 amndmnt claid th initial intnt th xmptin as applid t th dlibatins plitical cmmit-ts, cnncs and caucuss th Stat Lgislatu lgislativbdy a cunty, tn villag. Judicial dcisins intpting thla had stictd th ct th iginal xmptin t apply nlyh th plitical cmmitt, cnnc caucus mt t discuss

plitical businss. Th amndd statut mas all dlibatins p-litical cmmitts, cnncs and caucuss lgislativ bdis x-mpt m th pvisins th opn Mtings La, gadlss thsubjct matt und discussin (1985 N.Y. Las ch. 136).

Th hav bn a numb th lgislativ amndmnts thatadd t n dtails th la. F xampl, in 1977 th Lgisla-tu amndd th statut t qui public bdis t ma all asn-abl ts t nsu that mtings a hld in acilitis hich pmitbai- physical accss ppl ith physical disabilitis (1977N.Y. Las ch. 368). In 1979, th statut as amndd t pvid thatan xcutiv sssin may b hld t discuss th ppsd acquisitin,sal xchang scuitis hld by a public bdy h publicityuld substantially act thi valu (1979 N.Y. Las ch. 704). othamndmnts a ntd, h apppiat, thughut th utlinthat lls.

This edition is based on earlier editions prepared by Peter Danziger andJay B. Wright. The original 1988 publication was prepared with the assis-tance o Barbara G. Billet. Jordan A. LaVine assisted in updating the 1992version. Seth F. Eisenberg participated in the preparation o the 1997 edition,with special thanks to Marilyn Kelley. Michael J. Grygiel prepared the FithEdition in 2006.

opn rcds

I. STATUTe -- BASIC APPLICATIoN

A. wh can qust cds?

1. Status qust.

Nt limitd. Th statut stats that th public, individually andcllctivly and psntd by a pss, shuld hav accss t thcds gvnmnt. N.Y. Pub. o. La 84 (Mckinny 1988).Th la must b libally cnstud t gant maximum public accsst gvnmntal cds. See Lucas v. Pastor, 117 A.D.2d 736, 498N.Y.S.2d 461 (2d Dpt 1986); New York News Inc. v. Grinker, 142Misc.2d 325, 537 N.Y.S.2d 770 (Sup. Ct. 1989)

2. Pups qust.

[T]h status nd th psn sing accss is gnally ncnsqunc in cnstuing FoIL and its xmptins. Capital Newspa-pers Division o Hearst Corp. v. Burns, 67 N.Y.2d 562, 496 N.e.2d 665,505 N.Y.S.2d 576 (1986); Daily Gazette Co. v. City o Schenectady, 93N.Y.2d 145, 688 N.Y.S.2d 472 (1999) (An agncys inquiy int, lianc upn th status and mtiv a FoIL applicant uld b ad-ministativly inasibl, and its intusivnss uld cnfict ith thmdial pupss FoIL.);Edwards v. N.Y. State Police, 44 A.D.3d1216, 843 N.Y.S.2d 729 (3d Dpt 2007) (cut disgadd th pti-tins psnal pups cim-scn phtgaphs and ighdth gnal public intst in disclsu against th psnal pivacyintsts at sta.) . Accord Scott v. Records Access Ocer, 65 N.Y.2d 294,480 N.e.2d 1071, 491 N.Y.S.2d 289 (1985); Bualo News v. BualoMunicipal Housing Authority, 163 A.D.2d 830, 558 N.Y.S.2d 364, (4thDpt 1990);New York 1 News v. President o the Borough o Staten Is-land, 631 N.Y.S.2d 479 (Sup. Ct. kings Cunty 1995) (FoIL dsnt qui that th paty qusting cds ma any shing nd, gd aith lgitimat pups . . . .). Thus, FoILs scpshuld nt b stictd t th pups hich a dcumnt aspducd th unctin t hich it lats. Russo v. Nassau Com-munity College, 81 N.Y.2d 690, 698, 623 N.e.2d 15, 603 N.Y.S.2d 294(1993) (quting Westchester Rockland Newspapers v. Kimball, 50 N.Y.2d575, 581);Muniz v. Roth, 163 Misc.2d 293, 620 N.Y.S.2d 700 (Sup. Ct.

Tmpins Cunty 1994) (FoIL ds nt qui a shing nd th qustd cd).

evn in th instanc h th qusts pups lats t p-tntial pnding litigatin against th agncy, accss mains una-ctd und FoIL.M. Farbman & Sons v. New York City, 62 N.Y.2d75, 464 N.e.2d 437, 476 N.Y.S.2d 69 (1984). [T]h standing nh ss accss t cds und th Fdm Inmatin Lais as a mmb th public, and is nith nhancd (Fitzpatrick v.County o Nassau, 83 Misc.2d 884, 372 N.Y.S.2d 939, ad53 A.D.2d628 (2d Dpt 1976)) n stictd (Burke v. Yudelson, 51 A.D.2d 673,378 N.Y.S.2d 165 (4th Dpt 1976)) bcaus h is als a litigant ptntial litigant.John P. v. Whalen, 54 N.Y.2d 89, 429 N.e.2d 117,444 N.Y.S.2d 598 (1981). See also M. Farbman & Sons v. New York City,62 N.Y.2d 75, 464 N.e.2d 437, 476 N.Y.S.2d 69 (1984); Property Valu-ation Analysts Inc. v. Williams, 164 A.D.2d 131, 563 N.Y.S.2d 545 (3dDpt 1990);Ragusa v. New York State Dept. o Law, 152 Misc.2d 602,578 N.Y.S.2d 959 (Sup. Ct. 1991);Hudson River Fishermans Associationv. New York City Dept. o Environmental Protection, N. 7679-90 (Sup.Ct., N Y Cunty, July 12, 1990); C. Brady v. City o New York,84 A.D.2d 113, 445 N.Y.S.2d 724 (1st Dpt 1982) (dnying accssh litigant had ld nt issu); Travelers Indemnity Co. v. Countyo Westchester, N.Y.L.J. Apil 5, 1994 (Sup. Ct. wstchst Cunty);Benedict v. Albany County, 22 Misc.3d 597, 867 N.Y.S.2d 906 (Sup. Ct.2008) (Distict Attnys chaactizatin th Aticl 78 challngas a mandamus t cmpl as incct; a ptitin ds nt hav tdmnstat a cla lgal ight t a FoIL qust).

Th qusts pups has bn dmd matial in th intp-tatin FoIL and applicatin th statuty xmptins. See, e.g.,


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Matter o Newsday Inc. v. State Dept o Transportation, 5 N.Y.3d 84,800 N.Y.S.2d 67 (2005) (wh a FoIL qust matials sub-jct t [23 U.S.C. 409] is mad by a tt plainti, by smnacting n such a plaintis bhal, phaps dnial th qust illb justid);Fink v. Lekowitz, 47 N.Y.2d 567, 393 N.e.2d 463, 419N.Y.S.2d 467 (1979) (dnying accss t ptins an c manual th Spcial Pscut Nusing Hms und th la nc-mnt xmptin, stating th pups th Fdm InmatinLa is nt t nabl psns t us agncy cds t ustat pnd-ing thatnd invstigatins n t us that inmatin t cn-

stuct a dns t impd a pscutin). Th sal las lists nams and addsss may b dnid i such lists uld b usd cmmcial und-aising pupss. N.Y. Pub. o. La 89(2)(b)(iii) (Mckinny 1988). SeeN.Y. State Rife and Pistol Assn,Inc. v. Kelly,55 A.D.3d 222, 863 N.Y.S.2d 439 (1st Dpt 2008) (digital list thnams and addsss all pistl licnss in N.Y.C. as xmpt mdisclsu bcaus spndnt pvidd spcic p ptitinsintnt t us th qustd matials th pupss und-aisingand/ cmmcial gain)

3. Us cds.

Th statut cntains n stictins n subsqunt us inma-tin, and nith th mtivs ptitins [n] th mans by hichthy ill pt th inmatin uld b dtminativ a ight tinmatin und FoIL. Capital Newspapers Division o Hearst Corp. v.

Burns, 109 A.D.2d 92, 95, 490 N.Y.S.2d 651 (3d Dpt 1985), ad, 67N.Y.2d 562, 496 N.e.2d 665, 505 N.Y.S.2d 576 (1986).

B. whs cds a and a nt subjct t th act?

Th FoIL quis disclsu all cds (xclusiv ths all-ing ithin th ambit a statuty xmptin) hich a hld by anagncy. N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(2) (Mckinny 1988). Agncy isdnd t man any stat municipal dpatmnt, bad, buau,divisin, cmmissin, cmmitt, public authity, public cpatin,cuncil, c th gvnmntal ntity pming a gvnmn-tal ppitay unctin th stat any n m municipali-tis th, xcpt th judiciay th stat lgislatu. N.Y. Pub.o. La 86(3) (Mckinny 1988); Weston v. Sloan, 201 A.D.2d 778,779, 607 N.Y.S.2d 478 (3d Dpt 1994), modied, 84 N.Y.2d 462, 643N.e.2d 1071, 619 N.Y.S.2d 255 (th Lgislatu is nt an agncy and,

th, Public ocs La 87 is inapplicabl, hv, lgisla-tiv dcumnts may b btaind und sctin 88).

1. excutiv banch.

a. rcds th xcutivs thmslvs.

rcds th Gvn th Stat N Y hav bn madavailabl pusuant t FoIL qusts, and cuts hav hld that cds lcal chi xcutivs a subjct t disclsu und FoIL. See,e.g., Capital Newspapers Division o Hearst Corp. v. Whalen, 69 N.Y.2d246, 505 N.e.2d 932, 513 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1987) (ganting accss t thcds x-May City Albany hn hld by th agncy);Johnv. New York State Ethics Commission, 178 A.D.2d 51, 581 N.Y.S.2d 882(3d Dpt 1992) (annual nancial disclsu ld by chai MnCunty rpublican Cmmitt as availabl und FoIL); Ragusav. New York State Dept. o Law, 152 Misc.2d 602, 578 N.Y.S.2d 959(Sup. Ct. 1991) (ganting accss t cds Attny Gnals -c);Rold v. Cuomo, N. 1909-88 (Sup. Ct., Albany Cunty, May 31,1988) (ganting accss t gists quid t b maintaind by Gv-n cncning applicatins padns, cmmutatins, xcu-tiv clmncy); Kerr v. Koch, N.Y.L.J., Fb. 1, 1988 (Sup. Ct., NY Cunty, 1988) (ganting accss t cds Mays xpnsaccunts).

b. rcds ctain but nt all unctins.

FoILs scp is nt t b limitd basd n th pups hichth dcumnt as pducd th unctin t hich it lats. Capi-tal Newspapers Division o Hearst Corp. v. Whalen , 69 N.Y.2d 246, 505N.e.2d 932, 513 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1987) (ganting accss t mays pi-

vat paps hich intmingld ith public cds, jccntntin that nly cds daling ith gvnmnt unctinsdcisin-maing pcss shuld b subjct t FoIL); Russo v. NaCommunity College, 81 N.Y.2d 690, 623 N.e.2d 15, 603 N.Y.S.2d (1993).Accord, Washington Post v. Insurance Dept, 61 N.Y.2d 557, N.e.2d 604, 475 N.Y.S.2d 263 (1984) (ganting accss t minutinsuanc cmpany mtings vluntaily ld ith th Insuanc patmnt und a pmis cndntiality). whil [FoILs] pps may b t shd light n gvnmnt dcisin-maing, its ambnt cnnd t cds actually usd in th dcisin-maing pc

M. Farbman & Sons v. New York City, 62 N.Y.2d 75, 464 N.e.2d 4476 N.Y.S.2d 69 (1984) (ganting accss t cds lating t a cstuctin pjct). Accord Westchester Rockland Newspapers v. Kim50 N.Y.2d 575, 408 N.e.2d 904, 430 N.Y.S.2d 574 (1980) (gantaccss t scal cds a ltty un by a villag vlunt patmnt).

2. Lgislativ bdis.

rcds th N Y Stat Lgislatu a subjct t Found a spaat pvisin that la hich dlinats th spccds hich a subjct t public inspctin and cpying. N.Y. Po. La 88 (Mckinny 1988). Th Stat Lgislatu is dby FoIL t man th lgislatu th Stat N Y, includany cmmitt, subcmmitt, jint cmmitt, slct cmmittcmmissin th. N.Y. Pub. o. La 86(2) (Mckinny 19

See Poloko-Zakarin v. Boggess, 62 A.D.3d 1141, 879 N.Y.S.2d 244Dpt 2009) (hlding that th Stat Snat must discls Snat plys tim and attndanc cds as thy a includd in th cds that must b disclsd und 88 (3)(b));Weston v. Sloan, A.D.2d 778, 607 N.Y.S.2d 478 (3d Dpt. 1994), modied84 N.Y462, 643 N.e.2d 1071, 619 N.Y.S.2d 255 (ganting accss t acts gus mmializing th xpnditu public unds lgislapintings and mailings, but dnying accss t cpis nsltts inmatin tagtd mailings). Lcal lgislativ bdis a gvmntal ntitis ithin th dnitin agncy and thus subjcFoIL. See generally King v. Dillon, N. 20859/84 (Sup. Ct., NasCunty, Dc. 19, 1984) (ganting accss t minuts villag bmting);Malman v. Supervisor (Town o Islip), N. 7361/81 (Sup. Nassau Cunty, Aug. 20, 1981) (ganting accss t slutin pasby Tn Bad).

3. Cuts.

Th judiciay is xpssly xcludd m th statuty dnit agncy, N.Y. Pub. o. La 86(3) (Mckinny 1988) and is txmpt m th las dictiv that all agncis ma cds avabl public inspctin and cpying. Judiciay is dnd by Fot man th cuts th stat, including any municipal distcut, hth nt cd. N.Y. Pub. o. La 86(1) (Minny 1988). See Bridgewater v. Johnson, 44 A.D.3d 549, 844 N.Y.S39 (1st Dpt 2007) (gand juy minuts a xmpt m disclsuas cut cds a xmpt m th ambit FoIL). See Mullgv. Santucci, 195 A.D.2d 786, 600 N.Y.S.2d 382 (3d Dpt. 1993) (ding accss t Gand Juy minuts bcaus thy a cut cds, agncy cds);Moore v. Santucci, 151 A.D.2d 676, 543 N.Y.S.2d 1(2d Dpt 1989) (suppssin haing tial tanscipts hld by o

Distict Attny a cut cds, nt agncy cds);NewsdaSise, 120 A.D.2d 8, 507 N.Y.S.2d 182 (2d Dpt 1986), ad, 71 N.Y146, 518 N.e.2d 930, 524 N.Y.S.2d 35 (1987) (Cmmissin s is pat judiciay and is nt subjct t FoIL); Pasik v. Stateo Law Examiners, 102 A.D.2d 395, 478 N.Y.S.2d 270 (lst Dpt 19(Stat Bad La examins xciss judicial unctin and is p judiciay xmpt m disclsu quimnts FoIL); Gson v. Grady, 149 Misc.2d 818, 566 N.Y.S.2d 829 (Sup. Ct. 1991) stuctins t gand juy nt subjct t disclsu und FoIHerald Co. v. Town o Geddes, 122 Misc.2d 236, 470 N.Y.S.2d 81 (SCt. 1983) (FoIL is nt applicabl t cds a justic cut); Qv. Evans, 116 Misc.2d 554, 5 N.Y.S.2d 918 (Sup. Ct. 1982), adA.D.2d 992, 469 N.Y.S.2d 834 (lst Dpt 1983) (oc Cut ministatin is nt a cut ithin th dnitin judiciay;


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an agncy, and th its cds a subjct t FoIL); Babigianv. Evans, 104 Misc. 2d 140, 427 N.Y.S.2d 688 (Sup.Ct. 1980), ad, 97A.D.2d 992, 469 N.Y.S.2d 834 (lst Dpt 1983); People v. Blakely, N.1769/82 (Sup. Ct., Quns Cunty, Apil 12, 1985) (dnying accsst cut paps);N.Y. PIRG Inc. v. Greenberg, N. 3734-79 (Sup. Ct.,Albany Cunty, Apil 27, 1979) (oc Distict Attny is subjctt FoIL.

It shuld b ntd hv, that nc an agncy has custdy dcumnts issud mandatd by a cut, thy may bcm agncy

cds subjct t disclsu und FoIL.Newsday Inc. v. Empire StateDev. Corp., 98 N.Y.2d 359, 746 N.Y.S.2d 855 (2002) (hld, nc ju-dicial subpnas svd upn spndnt, a FoIL-dnd statagncy, thy lst thi immunity as judicial cds and subjctt disclsu und FoIL unlss alling ithin a spcic xmptin).

Mst cut cds a availabl und th pvisins la. SeeN.Y. Jud. La 255 (Mckinny 1988); N.Y. Uni. Just. Act 2019-a(Mckinny 1988).

4. Nngvnmntal bdis.

a. Bdis civing public unds bnfts.

Nngvnmntal bdis hich act n bhal gvnmntal bd-is hich pm an ssntial public svic a subjct t FoIL.Perez v. City Univ. o New York, 5 N.Y.3d 522, 806 N.Y.S.2d 460(2005)

(vting by studnt Snat public univsity may nt b dn bysct ballt bcaus it uld pvnt cmpilatin quisit cd nal vt ach mmb subjct t disclsu und FoIL); West-chester Rockland Newspapers v. Kimball, 50 N.Y.2d 575, 408 N.e.2d 904,430 N.Y.S.2d 574 (1980) (ganting accss t cds a villag vlun-t dpatmnt as pming ssntial public svic). See BualoNews v. Bualo Enterprise Development Corporation, 173 A.D.2d 43, 578N.Y.S.2d 945 (4th Dpt 1991), ad, 84 N.Y.2d 488, 644 N.e.2d 277,619 N.Y.S.2d 695 (nn-pt city cnmic dvlpmnt cpa-tin acting as citys agnt as gvnmnt agncy subjct t FoIL);Russo v. Nassau Community College, 81 N.Y.2d 690, 623 N.e.2d 15,603 N.Y.S.2d 294 (1993) (cmmunity cllg is an agncy subjctt FoIL and taching matials cm ithin las dnitin -cd);Eisenberg v. Goldstein, N. 21381-87 (Sup. Ct., kings Cunty,Fb. 26, 1988) (ganting accss t cds cllg nt--ptundatin); S. W. Pitts v. Capital Newspapers, N. 8400-87 (Sup. Ct.,Albany Cunty, Jan. 25, 1988) (ganting accss t cds vlunt cmpanis sving ptctin disticts); Decker v. Ardler, N.6986/81 (Sup. Ct., oang Cunty, Aug. 31, 1982). Compare Rumore v.Bd. o Educ. o City Sch. Dist. o Bualo, 35 A.D.3d 1178, 826 N.Y.S.2d545 (4th Dpt 2006) (althugh a nt--pt cpatin may allithin FoILs dnitin a stat agncy i its pups is gvn-mntal and it has th attibuts a public ntity, th cd stab-lishd that spndnt did nt hav ths attibuts, as its budgt asnt gvnmntally appvd, it had a sl-lctd bad, and it didnt hav its cs in a stat-nd building).

b. Bdis hs mmbs includ gvnmntalfcials.

Nngvnmntal bdis hich act n bhal gvnmntal bd-is hich pm an ssntial public svic a subjct t FoIL.See Bualo News v. Bualo Enterprise Development Corporation, 173A.D.2d 43, 578 N.Y.S.2d 945 (4th Dpt 1991), ad84 N.Y.2d 488,644 N.e.2d 277, 619 N.Y.S.2d 695 (1994) (nn-pt city cnmicdvlpmnt cpatin acting as citys agnt as gvnmnt agn-cy subjct t FoIL). Russo v. Nassau Community College, 81 N.Y.2d690, 623 N.e.2d 15, 603 N.Y.S.2d 294 (cmmunity cllg as anagncy subjct t FoIL and taching matials cam ithin lasdnitin cd). Althugh nt dictly addssd by FoIL, -cds nngvnmntal gups a accssibl i pt, hld ldith an agncy. Capital Newspapers Division o Hearst Corporation v.Whalen, 69 N.Y.2d 246, 505 N.e.2d 932, 513 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1987)(ganting accss t x-mays psnal and plitical paps, hn hldby an agncy). CompareErvin v. S. Tier Econ. Dev., Inc., 26 A.D.3d 633,

809 N.Y.S.2d 268 (3d Dpt 2006) (althugh nt--pt cpa-tin pms a gvnmntal unctin, it is nt an agncy FoILpupss bcaus it as catd by pivat businss psns and a ma-jity th bad is pivat businss psns).

5. Multi-stat ginal bdis.

L cuts hav hld that th cds intstat bdis a ntsubjct t disclsu, hil th cds ginal bdis a availablund FoIL. See Metro-ILA Pension Fund v. Waterront Commission,N.Y.L.J., Dc. 16, 1986 (Sup. Ct., N Y Cunty, 1986) (hlding

that th watnt Cmmissin N Y Hab, an intstatbdy, did nt all ithin th FoIL dnitin agncy); WestchesterRockland Newspapers v. Fischer, 101 A.D.2d 840, 475 N.Y.S.2d 796 (2dDpt 1984) (dismissing appal m d dicting pductin ctain cds th whit Plains Husing Authity).

6. Advisy bads and cmmissins, quasi-gvnmntal ntitis.

Th FoIL dnitin agncy xpssly includs a bad, cmmis-sin, cmmitt, public authity, cuncil, c th gvnmn-tal ntity pming a gvnmntal unctin. N.Y. Pub. o. La 86(3) (Mckinny 1988).on th qustin accss t cds bdissving in an advisy capacity, s Justice v. King, 60 A.D.3d 1452,876 N.Y.S.2d 301 (4th Dpt 2009) (hlding that a cpatin svingpals that has cntactd ith th stat n a --svic basis is

nt an agncy pupss FoIL);Reese v. Daines, 62 A.D.3d 1254,877 N.Y.S.2d 801 (4th Dpt 2009) (hlding that th wstn NY Halth Systm, Inc. is a public bdy subjct t FoIL qui-mnts hil it vss th mg a public bnt cpatinand a pivat ntity); Bualo News Inc. v. Bualo Enterprise DevelopmentCorporation, 173 A.D.2d 43, 578 N.Y.S.2d 945 (4th Dpt 1991), ad84 N.Y.2d 488, 644 N.e.2d 277, 619 N.Y.S.2d 695 (1994) (nn-ptcity cnmic dvlpmnt cpatin acting as citys agnt as gv-nmnt agncy subjct t FoIL); Syracuse United Neighbors v. City oSyracuse, 80 A.D.2d 984, 437 N.Y.S.2d 446 (4th Dpt 1981), appealdismissed, 55 N.Y.2d 995, 434 N.e.2d 270, 449 N.Y.S.2d 201 (1982)(ganting accss t th dcumnts t advisy cmmitts hth cds pt and hld by th municipality). But see Baumgar-ten v. Koch, 97 Misc.2d 449, 411 N.Y.S.2d 487 (Sup. Ct. 1978) (dny-ing accss t cds th Mays Cmmitt n th Judiciay n

th gunds that th Cmmitt pmd a puly advisy unctin mly maing cmmndatins t th May n judicial appint-mnts).

C. what cds a and a nt subjct t th act?

1. what ind cds a cvd?

Th FoIL dns cd t man any inmatin pt, hld,ld, pducd, pducd by, ith an agncy th statlgislatu, in any physical m hatsv. N.Y. Pub. o. La 86(4) (Mckinny 1988).

In applying th statuty dnitin, th cuts hav hld that adcumnt nd nt vinc sm gvnmntal pups t b ithinth scp FoIL, as nthing in th lgislativ histy suggsts thatth Lgislatu intndd such a cntnt-basd limitatin in dning

th tm cd . . . . Mv . . . pmitting an agncy t ngagin a unilatal pscning ths dcumnts hich it dms t butsid th scp FoIL uld b incnsistnt ith [th statut].Capital Newspapers Division o Hearst Corp. v. Whalen, 69 N.Y.2d 246,505 N.e.2d 932, 513 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1987) (hlding that psnal uncial dcumnts intmingld ith cial gvnmnt ls b-ing pt hld by a gvnmntal ntity a cds).

Th cuts hav als hld that a pmis cndntiality . . . isilvant t hth th qustd dcumnts t ithin th Lgisla-tus dnitin cds. . . . N is it lvant [hth] th dcu-mnts iginatd utsid th gvnmnt. Washington Post v. Insur-ance Dept, 61 N.Y.2d 557, 463 N.e.2d 604, 475 N.Y.S.2d 263 (1984)(ganting accss t minuts insuanc cmpany mtings vluntaily


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givn in cndnc t th Insuanc Dpatmnt); Paul Smiths Collegeo Arts and Sciences v. Cuomo, 186 A.D.2d 888, 589 N.Y.S.2d 106 (3dDpt. 1992); Smith v. County o Rensselaer, rJI N. 41-1156-92 (Sup.Ct. rnssla Cunty) (itmizd bills ppad submittd by an at-tny ing an agncy a agncy cds ithin FoIL subjctt disclsu); Mulgrew v. Board o Educ. o City School Dist. o City oNew York, 31 Misc.3d 296, 919 N.Y.S.2d 786 (Sup. Ct. 2011) (pmiss cndntiality t tachs invalid bcaus th cuts hav -patdly hld that as a matt public plicy th Bad educatincannt bagain aay th publics ight t accss public cds).

Relevance o place o origin and the location o records. A cd is anyinmatin pt hld by an agncy, and tmpay pssssin inanth ds nt ncssaily ust a pmannt pssss th cntlhich uld ma it subjct t th spnsibilitis impsd by FoIL.Westchester Rockland Newspapers v. Kimball, 50 N.Y.2d 575, 581, 408N.e.2d 904, 430 N.Y.S.2d 574 (1980) (ganting accss t ltty -cds villag vlunt dpatmnt in pssssin Distict At-tny). An agncy that tansd cds t anth agncy may bquid t cv and unish th cds. Bualo Broad. CompanyInc. v. New York State Dept o Correctional Services, 155 A.D.2d 106, 552N.Y.S.2d 712, (3d Dpt, 1990); In Re Mazzone, 30 Misc.3d 981, 914N.Y.S.2d 623 (Sup. Ct. 2011) (a singl FoIL qust may nt b sub-dividd int t m FoIL qusts basd n ggaphic gin,thus cating multipl nal dtminatins. FoIL nly cntmplatsthat a qust ill civ a singl nal dtminatin). [N] isit lvant [hth] th dcumnts iginatd utsid th gvn-mnt. Washington Post v. Insurance Dept, 61 N.Y.2d 557, 463 N.e.2d604, 475 N.Y.S.2d 263 (1984) (ganting accss t minuts insuanccmpany mtings vluntaily givn in cndnc t th InsuancDpatmnt). See also Russo v. Nassau Community College, 81 N.Y.2d690, 623 N.Y.S.2d 15, 603 N.e.2d 294 (1993) (lm and lm stipsusd in a public cllg and pvidd by th cllg a cdsithin FoIL); Capital Newspapers Division o Hearst Corp. v. Whalen,69 N.Y.2d 246, 505 N.e.2d 932, 513 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1987) (gantingaccss t th cds x-May City Albany hn hld byth agncy);Montalvo v. City o New York, N.Y.L.J., octb 19, 1995(Sup. Ct. N Y Cunty, 1995) (opinins and cmmndatins. . . d nt ls thi xmpt status simply bcaus thy a ppad th agncy, at its qust by an utsid cnsultant);Kerr v. Koch,N.Y.L.J., Fb. 1, 1988 (Sup. Ct., N Y Cunty, 1988) (ganting

accss t cds Mays xpns accunts); C. United Food andCommercial Workers, District Union, Local One v. City o Schenectady In-dustrial Development Agency, 204 A.D.2d 887, 612 N.Y.S.2d 477 (3dDpt. 1994) (cds submittd t and pssssd by a pivat cpa-tin and nt qustd t b ppad by an agncy a nt subjctt FoIL); Moore v. Santucci, 151 A.D.2d 676, 543 N.Y.S.2d 103 (2dDpt 1989) (suppssin haing tial tanscipts hld by oc Distict Attny a cut cds, nt agncy cds); Gannett Sat-ellite Inormation Network Inc. v. City o Elmira, N. 94-1752 (Sup. Ct.,Chmung Cunty, August 26, 1994) (ganting accss t actual invn-ty data cmpild by appaisal m taind by City); Smith v. Countyo Rensselaer, N. 41-1156-92 (Sup. Ct. rnssla Cunty) (itmizdbills ppad submittd by an attny ing an agncy aagncy cds ithin FoIL subjct t disclsu).

No requirement to create records. Nthing in this aticl shall bcnstud t qui any ntity t ppa any cd nt pssssd maintaind by th ntity. N.Y. Pub. o. La 89(3) (Mckin-ny 1988). See Gabriels v. Curiale, 216 A.D.2d 850, 628 N.Y.S.2d 882(3d Dpt. 1995) (agncy as nt quid t cat n cds dvlp a pgam t pduc inmatin in th m qustd);OShaughnessy v. New York State Division o State Police , 202 A.D.2d508 (2d Dpt. 1994) (dnying ptitins qust cds in patbcaus n such cds xistd and agncis a und n bligatint cat a cd);Reubens v. Murray, 194 A.D.2d 492, 599 N.Y.S.2d580 (1st Dpt. 1993) (agncy as nt quid t cmpil qust-d data m th dcumnts cds in its pssssin); Adams v.Hirsch, 182 A.D.2d 583, 582 N.Y.S.2d 724 (1st Dpt 1992) (agncynt quid t pvid pint phtgaph); White v. Regan, 171

A.D.2d 197, 575 N.Y.S.2d 375 (3d Dpt 1991) (agncy as ntquid t cmpil inmatin t aang its ling systm)also Guerrier v. Hernandez-Cuebas, 165 A.D.2d 218, 566 N.Y.S.2d 4(3d Dpt 1991) (FoIL ds nt dintiat btn cds a maintaind in ittn m n cmputizd taps disBrownstone Publishers Inc. v. New York City Department o Buildings, A.D.2d 294, 560 N.Y.S.2d 642 (1st Dpt 1990) (cmput ls quid t b tansd nt cmput taps); Duban v. State Boo Law Examiners, 157 A.D.2d 946, 550 N.Y.S.2d 207 (3d Dpt 19(la ba xaminatin as dstyd, th qust as mt); B

alo Broad. Company Inc. v. New York State Dept o Correctional Serv155 A.D.2d 106, 552 N.Y.S.2d 712, (3d Dpt 1990) (an agncy tansd cds t anth agncy may b quid t cv unish th cds);Kryston v. Board o Education, 77 A.D.2d 896, N.Y.S.2d 688 (2d Dpt 1980); Day v. Town Board o Milton, N. 414, (Sup. Ct., Saatga Cunty, Apil 27, 1992) (spndnt as unn duty t cmpil a n list); Chechek v. Gribble, N. 5320/80 (SCt., Dutchss Cunty, Apil 6, 1981); Wood v. Ellison, 196 A.D.2d 9602 N.Y.S.2d 237 (3d Dpt. 1993); see, e.g., Oakknoll v. De Franc200 A.D.2d 619, 608 N.Y.S.2d 850 (1994) (dismissing pcdh a vi th l vald that th l did nt cntain qustd matial).

Agncis a quid, hv, t ppa a asnably dtacunt list by subjct matt, all cds in thi pssssihth nt availabl und FoIL. N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(3(Mckinny 1988). See Quirk v. Evans, 116 Misc.2d 554, 5 N.Y.S918 (Sup. Ct. 1982), ad, 97 A.D.2d 992, 469 N.Y.S.2d 834 (lst D1983). This statuty mandat has nt bn ad t qui a dtalisting indx nal pinins an agncy. See WattenmakeN.Y.S. Employees Retirement System, 95 A.D.2d 910, 464 N.Y.S.2d(3d Dpt 1983), appeal denied, 60 N.Y.2d 555, 455 N.e.2d 487, N.Y.S.2d 1030 (1983); DAlessandro v. Unemployment Insurance AppBd., 56 A.D.2d 762, 392 N.Y.S.2d 433 (lst Dpt 1977). This lisnt quid t b maintaind by ach subdivisin a lag ntAmerican Society For The Prevention o Cruelty to Animals v. BoarTrustees, 147 Misc.2d 846, 556 N.Y.S.2d 447 (Sup. Ct. 1990).

Th 2008 amndmnts includ an imptant n pvisin hstats that Any pgamming ncssay t tiv a cd mataind in a cmput stag systm and t tans that cd t

mdium qustd . . . t all th tansd cd t b adpintd shall nt b dmd t b th ppaatin catin a ncd. Th, in cass hn a qust asnably dscibscds data maintaind lctnically, and using n pgammis m asnabl cint than manually manipulating th d dacting it, th agncy is quid t us th n pgamminpvid th inmatin.

2. what physical m cds a cvd?

Th tm cd includs inmatin in any physical m sv, including, but nt limitd t, pts, statmnts, xamitins, mmanda, pinins, lds, ls, bs, manuals, pamphlms, paps, dsigns, daings, maps, phts, ltts, miclcmput taps discs, uls, gulatins cds. N.Y. Pub. oLa 86(4) (Mckinny 1988). See Russo v. Nassau Community C

lege, 81 N.Y.2d 690, 603 N.e.2d 294, 623 N.Y.S.2d 15 (1993) (and lm stips usd in a public cllg and pvidd by th clla cds ithin FoIL); Bualo Broad. Company v. New York SDepartment o Correctional Services, 174 A.D.2d 212, 578 N.Y.S.2d (3d Dpt 1992), ad84 N.Y.2d 488, 644 N.e.2d 277, 619 N.Y.S695 (cpis vid taps tan at Attica Cctinal acility subjct t disclsu und FoIL); Gabriels v. Curiale, 216 A.D850, 628 N.Y.S.2d 882 (3d Dpt. 1995) (FoIL applis t inmtin cntaind in a cmput databas); Guerrier v. Hernandez-Cue165 A.D.2d 218, 566 N.Y.S.2d 406 (3d Dpt 1991) (FoIL ds dintiat btn cds that a maintaind in ittn n cmputizd taps discs); Brownstone Publishers Inc. v. NYork City Department o Buildings, 166 A.D.2d 294, 560 N.Y.S.2d (1st Dpt 1990) (inmatin n cmput dd tansd


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cmput taps); Allen v. Strojnowski, 129 A.D.2d 700, 514 N.Y.S.2d463 (3d Dpt 1987), motion or leave to appeal denied, 70 N.Y.2d 871,518 N.e.2d 5, 523 N.Y.S.2d 493 (1987) (physical vidnc, such astls and clthing, is nt a cd); Blanche v. Winn, N. 90-894,(Sup. Ct., Cayuga Cunty, Spt. 17, 1990) (tlphn bills and clth-ing nt cds); Steele v. Dept o Health, 119 Misc.2d 963, 464N.Y.S.2d 925 (Sup. Ct. 1983) (handittn ld nts and mnitingdat pts a availabl cds); Szikszay v. Buelow, 107 Misc.2d886, 436 N.Y.S.2d 558 (Sup.Ct. 1981) (cmput mat inma-tin ds nt alt ight accss); Babigian v. Evans, 104 Misc. 2d 140,

427 N.Y.S.2d 688 (Sup. Ct. 1980), ad, 97 A.D.2d 992, 469 N.Y.S.2d834 (lst Dpt 1983) (accss t inmatin in a cmput cannt bstictd mly bcaus it is nt in pintd m); Warder v. Board oRegents, 97 Misc.2d 86, 410 N.Y.S.2d 742 (Sup. Ct. 1978) (nts r-gnts mtings tan by Sctay t Bad rgnts a cds);Zaleski v. Hicksville Union Free School Dist., N.Y.L.J., Dc. 27, 1978(Sup. Ct., Nassau Cunty, 1978) (tap cdings pn mtingsa accssibl).

rcds cntaind in an indxd cmput data bas may bptctd by th N Y Stat Psnal Pivacy Ptctin La(PPPL) hich as nactd t ptct against th dang t psnalpivacy psd by mdn cmputizd data cllctin and tivalsystms. See Public ocs La aticl 6-A (Mckinny); Spargo v.New York State Commission on Government Integrity, 140 A.D.2d 26,531 N.Y.S.2d 417 (3d Dpt 1988).

Fm th 2008 amndmnts, a n sctin 87(5) quis an agncyt pvid cds n th mdium qustd . . . i th agncy canasnably ma such cpy. This clais that agncis a quidt ma cds availabl cnmically n cmput taps diss,ath than phtcpying tansing data nt cmput taps diss hn pinting th qustd cds uld sult in a cpiusand cstly us pap. It als spcis that cds pvidd in acmput mat shall nt b ncyptd.

3. A ctain cds availabl inspctin but ntcpying?

Gnally n. Und th statuts gnal accss pvisin, []ach agncy shall . . . ma availabl public inspctin and cpyingall cds. . . . N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(2) (Mckinny 1988). See

Town o Islip v. Machlin, N. 82-12366 (Sup. Ct., Sul Cunty, oct.1982) (agncy d in pmitting nly a visual inspctin cds);but see White v. Regan, 171 A.D.2d 197, 575 N.Y.S.2d 375 (3d Dpt1991) (agncys gant accss t vluminus ls mtd qustsclaims); Waldman v. Vill. o Kiryas Joel, 31 A.D.3d 569, 819 N.Y.S.2d72 (2d Dpt 2006) (und N Y elctin La 3-220(2), ctainlctin cds may nt b publicly dissminatd, but a subjct nlyt inspctin).

D. F pvisins pactics.

1. Lvls limitatins n s.

excpt hn a dint is this pscibd by statut, th cpis cds shall nt xcd:

$.25 per photocopy not in excess of 9 by 14, or

the actual cost of reproducing any other record.

N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(1)(b)(iii) (Mckinny 1988). See Sheehan v.City o Syracuse, 137 Misc.2d 438, 521 N.Y.S.2d 207 (Sup. Ct. 1987)(limiting fee to $.25 per page despite local ordinance requiring $7.00 cpis); Szikszay v. Buelow, 107 Misc.2d 886, 436 N.Y.S.2d 558(Sup. Ct. 1981) (limiting tax map t actual cst pductindespite county legislatures established fee of $4.00 per copy); Gancin,Schotsky & Rappaport, P.C. v. Suolk County, N.Y.L.J. Dcmb 30,1994 (Sup. Ct., N Y Cunty, 1994) (invalidating cunty cd ascontravening FOILs $0.25 per photocopy limit);see generally Schulz v.New York State Board o Elections, N. 4797-94 (Sup. Ct., Albany Cun-

ty, 1995); Fenstermaker v. Edgemont Union Free Sch. Dist., 48 A.D.3d564, 856 N.Y.S.2d 115 (1st Dept 2008) (fee of $0.25 per copy imposedby FoIL is pp, and uth, a dlay in ulllmnt FoIL qustuntil th is paid is pp).

A n sctin 87(1)(c) dns th basis dtmining th actualcst pducing cds maintaind lctnically.

In ths instancs in hich substantial tim is ndd t ppa acpy, at last t hus an mplys tim, th lgislatin pmitsan agncy t n chag a basd n th cst th stag mdium

usd, as ll th huly salay th lst paid mply h hasth sill ndd t d s. In ths in hich an agncy is incapabl ppaing a cpy, it can chag th actual cst ngaging a pivatpssinal svic t d s. Fs basd n actual cst may includ allxpnditus incud by an agncy assciatd ith ppaing a cpy,such as pstag, tansptatin, and th li. An agncy must inmqusts th in advanc pviding th inmatin i mthan t hus mply tim an utsid pssinal svic isndd t ppa a cpy a cd.

2. Paticula spcifcatins pvisins.

a. Sach.

Th FoIL ds nt pvid sach s.

b. Duplicatin.

excpt h a dint is pscibd by statut, th duplicatin shall nt xcd:

$.25 per photocopy not in excess of 9 x 14, or

the actual cost of reproducing any other record.

N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(1)(b)(iii) (Mckinny 1988); Schulz v. NewYork State Board o Elections, N. 4797-94 (Sup. Ct., Albany Cunty,1995) (pducing a cd ctainly ds nt includ pducingth cd in th st plac i.. cmpiling th inmatin mhich th cd is pducd.).

c. oth.

Computer access; printout. Fs cpis cmput pintuts and

taps shall nt xcd th actual cst pductin, xcpt hthis pscibd by statut. N.Y. Pub. o. Las 87(1)(b)(iii)(Mckinny 1988). See Brownstone Publishers Inc. v. New York City De-partment o Buildings, 166 A.D.2d 294, 560 N.Y.S.2d 642 (1st Dpt1990) (cmput ls quid t b tansd nt cmputtaps); Reese v. Mahoney, (Sup. Ct., ei Cunty, Jun 28, 1984) (al-lowing fee of $125 as actual cost of reproduction of computer tape);Real Estate Data Inc. v. County o Nassau, N. 11364 (Sup. Ct., NassauCunty, Spt. 18, 1981).

Microche. Fs cpis micch shall nt xcd th actualcst pductin, xcpt h this pscibd by statut.N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(1)(b)(iii) (Mckinny 1988).

Non-print audio or audio-visual records. Fs cpis cdingsshall nt xcd th actual cst pductin, xcpt h th-

is pscibd by statut. N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(1)(b)(iii) (Mckin-ny 1988). This has bn hld t qui xclusin xd csts thagncy, such as pat salais. Zaleski v. Hicksville Union Free SchoolDist., N.Y.L.J., Dc. 27, 1978 (Sup. Ct., Nassau Cunty, 1978).

CD-ROM ormat. Many agncis n discls inmatin mcmputizd databass in a CD-roM mat at a nminal t thqust.

Redacted records. whn a ptin a dcumnt must b dactd, astat agncy may us t all inspctin that dcumnt, and in-stad qui dactd cpis th dcumnt t b mad alng ithchaging th stablishd cpying . SeeBrown v. Goord, 45 A.D.3d930, 845 N.Y.S.2d 495 (3d Dpt 2007).


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3. Pvisins aivs.

Agncis a quid t pmulgat uls and gulatins gad-ing s cpis cds nt t xcd th limits st by th FoIL.N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(1)(b) (Mckinny 1988). Whitehead v. Mor-genthau, 146 Misc.2d 733, 552 N.Y.S.2d 518 (Sup. Ct. 1990) (n pvi-sin aiv dspit status as inmat and indignt psn).

4. rquimnts phibitins gading advancpaymnt.

Th is payabl hn th agncy is ady t pvid a cpy th qustd cd. N.Y. Pub. o. La 89(3) (Mckinny 1988).

5. Hav agncis impsd phibitiv s tdiscuag qusts?

Agncis may nt imps s hich xcd th limits st by FoIL.N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(1)(b) (Mckinny 1988).

A l cut has hld that an agncy must accpt Unitd Statscuncy in additin t th plicy quiing ban chcs mnyds.Reese v. Mahoney, (Sup. Ct., ei Cunty, Jun 28, 1984).

e. wh ncs th act?

Thshld cmplianc ith FoILs quimnts is lagly cmmit-td t an agncys intnal dcisin-maing ith spct t th discl-su cds. In cass h an agncy ds nt cmply ith FoILsquimnts and uss t discls nn-xmpt inmatin, thN Y Stat Cmmitt n opn Gvnmnt can b cntactdt pm an imptant mbudsmans l (s discussin bl). I aFoIL qust is dnid by an agncy, and an administativ appal tth agncy sults in uphlding th dnial, th qust has th p-tin cmmncing lgal actin (nn as an Aticl 78 pcding)against th agncy in hich a N Y Stat Supm Cut judgill dcid th mits th disclsu issu und FoIL. Many suchlgal cass a bught by ns ganizatins as sugats thpublic.

1. Attny Gnals l.

In th vnt an Aticl 78 pcding is cmmncd against anagncy basd n its ailu t cmply ith FoIL, th N Y StatAttny Gnals c ill dnd th agncy.

2. Availability an mbudsman.

An pinin ltt ith spct t th disclsu status und FoIL a ctain cd m a spcic stat municipal agncy can bbtaind upn qust m th N Y Stat Cmmitt n opnGvnmnt, 41 Stat Stt, Albany, N Y.

3. Cmmissin agncy ncmnt.

As statd abv, an agncys cmplianc ith FoILs sach-and-discls bligatins is cmmittd in th st instanc t th agncysintptatin th statuty xmptins and any applicabl cas la.

F. A th sanctins nncmplianc?

In cass h an agncy ds nt pcd in gd aith in ith-

hlding nn-xmpt cds, a viing cut may, in its disctin,aad asnabl attnys s and csts t a paty hich pvails inlitigatin against an agncy. In d t b ligibl a cvy s, a paty must satisy th statuty quimnts: (1) th patymust hav substantially pvaild against th agncy in th FoILlitigatin; (2) th cd invlvd must b claly signicant intstt th gnal public, and (3) th agncy must hav lacd a asnablbasis in la nt disclsing th cd. Public Ocers Law 89(4)(c).As discussd bl (s V.D.9., inra), s hav bn aadd in nlya handul cass in N Y Stat and hav gnally bn limitdt instancs h an agncy has fagantly disgadd its disclsubligatins und FoIL. SeeHenry Schein, Inc. v. Eristo, 35 A.D.3d1124, 827 N.Y.S.2d 718 (3d Dpt 2006) (dcisin t aad cunsls

s, vn h statuty quisits a mt, lis ithin th disc th cut).

II. eXeMPTIoNS AND oTHer LeGAL LIMITATIoNS

A. exmptins in th pn cds statut.

1. Chaact xmptins.

a. Gnal spcifc?

Th statuty xmptins a spcic in natu. N.Y. Pub. o. L

87(2) (Mckinny 1988). FoIL is t b libally cnstud andxmptins naly intptd s that th public is gantd mmum accss t th cds gvnmnt, Capital Newspapers Dsion o Hearst Corp. v. Whalen, 69 N.Y.2d 246, 252, 505 N.e.2d 9513 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1987) ([t]h agncy sing t pvnt disclscais th budn dmnstating that th qustd matial squaly ithin a FoIL xmptin by aticulating a paticulaizd spcic justicatin dnying accss); Russo v. Nassau CommuCollege, 81 N.Y.2d 690, 623 N.Y.S.2d 15, 603 N.e.2d 294 (1993); Ctal Newspapers Division o Hearst Corp. v. Burns, 67 N.Y.2d 562, N.e.2d 665, 505 N.Y.S.2d 576 (1986);M. Farbman & Sons v. New City, 62 N.Y.2d 75, 464 N.e.2d 437, 476 N.Y.S.2d 69 (1984); FinLekowitz, 47 N.Y.2d 567, 393 N.e.2d 463, 419 N.Y.S.2d 467 (19Muniz v. Roth, 163 Misc.2d 293, 620 N.Y.S.2d 700 (Sup. Ct. 19(hlding that mly assting th xmptin ithut paticulait

insucint);In Re W. Harlem Bus., 13 N.Y.3d 882, 921 N.e.2d 5893 N.Y.S.2d 825 (2010) (empi Stat Businss Cpatin at mt its budn sucintly idntiying a paticula xmpthn it submittd dcumnts in cama vi bcaus it ailspciy hich dcumnts ll und th int/inta-agncy xmptiIn Re Carnevale, 68 A.D.3d 1290, 891 N.Y.S.2d 495 (3d Dpt 20(hlding that spndnts catgical assumptin that all la nmnt invstigatins ill b hamd i itnsss nams a availathugh a FoIL qust aild t stablish that itnsss statmt plic ll und any paticula xmptin).

Th FoIL xmptins must b ad as having ngatd, as a ma public plicy, ctain limitatins n th disclsu thiscssibl cds.Xerox v. Town o Webster, 65 N.Y.2d 131, 480 N.e74, 490 N.Y.S.2d 488 (1985) (dnying accss t inta-agncy cund FoIL xmptin ntithstanding gnal pincipls ac

t public cds und 51 Gnal Municipal La).onc it is dtmind that th qustd matial alls it

a FoIL xmptin, n uth plicy analysis is quid. HaniDepartment o Motor Vehicles, 79 N.Y.2d 106, 588 N.e.2d 750, N.Y.S.2d 715 (1992); Bellamy v. New York City Police Dept., 59 A.D353, 874 N.Y.S.2d 60 (1st Dpt 2009) (hlding that hil ag qustd cd is a act in dtmining an xmptin, ag alnnt a sucint basis t nd an xmptin inapplicabl).

Waiver or loss o exemption. Public disclsu cds may ath cla cndntiality.McGraw-Edison Company v. Williams, Misc.2d 1053, 509 N.Y.S.2d 285 (Sup. Ct. 1986) (inadvtnt dissu ds nt aiv an xmptin);Moore v. Santucci, 151 A.D.2d 6543 N.Y.S.2d 103, (2d Dpt 1989) (invstigativ statmnts ls cl cndntiality nc th statmnts hav bn usd in pn cu

Gerbe v. Franklin Hospital Medical Center, N.Y.L.J., Spt. 6, 1991 (SCt., Nassau Cunty, 1991) (ganting accss t invstigatin l hn pmis cndntiality and agncy alld cunsl accsl). Impp inadvtnt disclsu may nt aiv cndntity, Mitzner v. Sobol, 173 A.D.2d 1064, 570 N.Y.S.2d 402 (3d D1991) (unauthizd disclsu a cd ds nt pat as a th FoIL xmptins); New York 1 News v. President o the Bough o Staten Island, 631 N.Y.S.2d 479 (Supm Cut kings Cu1995) (FoIL xmptin may b aivd by vluntay disclsu signicant pat th pivilgd cmmunicatins , altnativly,las cats vn an unintndd impssin th xistnc dlying matial);McGraw-Edison Company v. Williams, 133 Misc1053, 509 N.Y.S.2d 285 (Sup. Ct. 1986) (inadvtnt disclsu d


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nt aiv an xmptin);Miller v. New York State Dept. o Transp., 58A.D.3d 981, 871 N.Y.S.2d 489 (3d Dpt 2009) (inadvtnt disclsuds nt aiv xmptin).

Identiying the exemption. A gvnmntal bdy sing an xmptinm th disclsu quimnts FoIL has th budn pvingthat a cd alls squaly ithin th ambit n [th] statutyxmptins.Russo v. Nassau Community College, 81 N.Y.2d 690, 623N.Y.S.2d 15, 603 N.e.2d 294 (1993) (quting Fink v. Lekowitz, 47N.Y.2d 567, 571). N.Y. Pub. o. La. 89(4)(b) (Mckinny 1988).

See Capital Newspapers Div. o Hearst Corp. v. Burns, 67 N.Y.2d 562,496 N.e.2d 665, 505 N.Y.S.2d 576 (1986); Washington Post v. Insur-ance Dept, 61 N.Y.2d 557, 463 N.e.2d 604, 475 N.Y.S.2d 263 (1984);Doolan v. BOCES, 48 N.Y.2d 341, 398 N.e.2d 533, 422 N.Y.S.2d 927(1979). See also Grune v. Alexanderson, 168 A.D.2d 496, 562 N.Y.S.2d739, (2d Dpt 1990) (agncy aild t idntiy ith spcicity thsptins cds claimd t b xmpt); Burton v. Slade, 166 A.D.2d352, 561 N.Y.S.2d 637 (1st Dpt 1990) (abus disctin agncyt dny accss ithut viing dcumnts and stating ith paticu-laity asns dnial).

Cnclusy allgatins a insucint t mt th agncys budn p. Capital Newspapers Division o Hearst Corp. v. Burns, 67 N.Y.2d562, 496 N.e.2d 665, 505 N.Y.S.2d 576 (1986); Dobranski v. Houper,154 A.D.2d 736, 546 N.Y.S.2d 180 (3d Dpt 1989); Mooney v. StatePolice, 117 A.D.2d 445, 502 N.Y.S.2d 828 (3d Dpt 1986); Hopkins v.

City o Bualo, 107 A.D.2d 1028, 486 N.Y.S.2d 514 (4th Dpt 1985).b. Mandaty disctinay?

Th FoIL xmptins a disctinay in thi applicatin by thagncy. N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(2) (Mckinny 1988) (such agncymay dny accss . . .). [T]h languag th xmptin pvisincntains pmissiv ath than mandaty languag, and it is ithinth agncys disctin t discls such cds . . . i it s chss.Capital Newspapers Division o Hearst Corp. v. Burns, 67 N.Y.2d 562, 496N.e.2d 665, 505 N.Y.S.2d 576 (1986);Accord, Bualo Teachers Federa-tion Inc. v. Bualo Board o Ed., 156 A.D.2d 1027, 549 N.Y.S.2d 541(4th Dpt 1989).

c. Pattnd at dal Fdm Inmatin Act?

Th FoIL as pattnd at th dal Fdm InmatinAct, 5 U.S.C. 552, et seq., and accdingly, dal cas la and lgisla-tiv histy n th scp th dal act a instuctiv in intpt-ing N Ys la, including its xmptins. Fink v. Lekowitz, 47N.Y.2d 567, 393 N.e.2d 463, 419 N.Y.S.2d 467 (1979). Accord Seelingv. Siela, 201 A.D.2d 298, 607 N.Y.S.2d 300 (1st Dpt. 1994) (l-ling dal cas la that th las Scial Scuity numbscnstituts an unaantd invasin pivacy);Hawkins v. Kurlander,98 A.D.2d 14, 469 N.Y.S.2d 820 (4th Dpt 1983);McAulay v. Board oEducation, 61 A.D.2d 1048, 403 N.Y.S.2d 116 (2d Dpt 1978), ad,48 N.Y.2d 659, 396 N.e.2d 1033, 421 N.Y.S.2d 560 (1979); New York1 News v. President o the Borough o Staten Island, 166 Misc.2d 270, 631N.Y.S.2d 479 (Sup. Ct. kings Cunty 1995); Whitehead v. Morgenthau,146 Misc.2d 733, 552 N.Y.S.2d 518 (Sup. Ct. 1990). Quirk v. Evans,116 Misc.2d 554, 5 N.Y.S.2d 918 (Sup. Ct. 1982), ad, 97 A.D.2d

992, 469 N.Y.S.2d 834 (lst Dpt 1983).2. Discussin ach xmptin.

Th a tn catgis xmptd cds und FoIL. NY Public ocs La 87(2) stats that ach agncy shall, in ac-cdanc ith its publishd uls, ma availabl public inspctinand cpying all cds, xcpt that such agncy may dny accss tcds ptins th that:

(a) a spcically xmptd m disclsu by stat dalstatut;

(b) i disclsd uld cnstitut an unaantd invasin p-snal pivacy und th pvisins subdivisin t sctin

ighty-nin this aticl;

(c) i disclsd uld impai psnt imminnt cntact aads cllctiv bagaining ngtiatins;

(d) a tad scts a submittd t an agncy by a cmm-cial ntpis divd m inmatin btaind m a cm-mcial ntpis and hich i disclsd uld caus substantialinjuy t th cmptitiv psitin th subjct ntpis;

() a cmpild la ncmnt pupss and hich, i dis-

clsd, uld:i. int ith la ncmnt invstigatins judi-

cial pcdings;

ii. dpiv a psn a ight t a ai tial impatialadjudicatin;

iii. idntiy a cndntial suc discls cndntialinmatin lating t a ciminal invstigatin;

iv. val ciminal invstigativ tchniqus pc-dus, xcpt utin tchniqus and pcdus;

() i disclsd uld ndang th li saty any psn;

(g) a int-agncy inta-agncy matials hich a nt:

i. statistical actual tabulatins data;ii. instuctins t sta that act th public;

iii. nal agncy plicy dtminatins;

iv. xtnal audits, including but nt limitd t auditspmd by th cmptll and th dal gvnmnt;

(h) a xaminatin qustins anss hich a qustdpi t th nal administatin such qustins;

(i) i disclsd, uld jpadiz an agncys capacity t guaantth scuity its inmatin tchnlgy assts, such assts n-cmpassing bth lctnic inmatin systms and inastuc-tus;

(j) a phtgaphs, micphtgaphs, vid-tap th -cdd imags ppad und authity sctin lvn hun-dd lvn-a th vhicl and tac la.

N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(2)(a)-(j) (Mckinny 1988 and MckinnySupp. 1993).

a.Exemption rom disclosure by other state or ederal statute.

An agncy may dny accss t cds ptins th that aspcically xmptd m disclsu by stat dal statut. N.Y.Pub. o. La 87(2)(a) (Mckinny 1988).

In applying this xmptin, th Cut Appals has statd that [a]lthugh hav nv hld that a Stat statut must xpssly stat itis intndd t stablish a FoIL xmptin, hav quid a sh-ing cla lgislativ intnt t stablish and psv that cndn-

tiality hich n sisting a FoIL disclsu claims as ptctin.Capital Newspapers Division o Hearst Corp. v. Burns, 67 N.Y.2d 562,496 N.e.2d 665, 505 N.Y.S.2d 576 (1986).Accord M. Farbman & Sonsv. New York City, 62 N.Y.2d 75, 464 N.e.2d 437, 476 N.Y.S.2d 69(l984);In Re New York Comm., 72 A.D.3d 153, 892 N.Y.S.2d 377 (1stDpt 2010) (hlding that bcaus City culd nt dmnstat thatqustd dcumnts at sm pint in pssssin th wsCmpnsatin Bad it aild t stablish that cds xmptund th ws Cmpnsatin La).

An agmnt cndntiality ithut a statuty pdicat can-nt m th basis dnial accss und FoIL. Washington Postv. Insurance Dept, 61 N.Y.2d 557, 463 N.e.2d 604, 475 N.Y.S.2d 263(1984) (ganting accss t minuts insuanc cmpany mtings


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vluntaily givn by th cmpanis t Insuanc Dpatmnt itsxaminatin; th agmnt cndntiality btn th cmpanisand Dpatmnt did nt hav a statuty pdicat that culd pmptFoIL); Town o Waterord v. New York State Dept. o Environmental Con-servation, 77 A.D.3d 224, 906 N.Y.S.2d 651 (3d Dpt 2010) (FoILds nt spcically xmpt dcumnts catd as pat sttlmntngtiatins).

Th statuty xmptin must b basd upn a stat dal stat-ut; nt a lcal la. See Morris v. Martin, 82 A.D.2d 965, 440 N.Y.S.2d

365 (3d Dpt 1981), revd, 55 N.Y.2d 1026, 434 N.e.2d 1079, 449N.Y.S.2d 712 (1982) (ganting qust by ppty ns salsdata lists duing cus tax ctiai litigatin, dspit cntntinthat N Y City Admin. Cd 1146-15.0 phibitd disclsu such lists).

It has als bn hld that xmptins can nly b cntlld byth statuts, nt by gulatins hich g bynd th scp sp-cic statuty languag. Zuckerman v. Board o Parole, 53 A.D.2d 405,407, 385 N.Y.S.2d 811 (3d Dpt 1976). See also N.Y.P.I.R.G. Inc. v. Cityo New York, N.Y.L.J., Spt. 27, 1982 (Sup. Ct., N Y Cunty,1982) (dnying accss t ctain tax cds basd upn Tax La Ati-cl 31-A and gulatins n cndntiality pmulgatd thund);Herald Co. v. School District, 104 Misc.2d 1041, 430 N.Y.S.2d 460 (Sup.Ct. 1980) (dnying accss t nam and chags against a tnudtach n th basis educatin La 3020-a and gulatins p-

mulgatd thund).F cass nding an xmptin m disclsu by th stat

dal statuts,see Waldman v. Vill. o Kiryas Joel, 31 A.D.3d 569, 819N.Y.S.2d 72 (2d Dpt 2006) (und N Y elctin la, lctincds may nt b publicly dissminatd, but a subjct nly t in-spctin);Argentieri v. Goord, 25 A.D.3d 830, 807 N.Y.S.2d 445 (3dDpt 2006) (dcumnts gnatd duing an invstigatin a c-ctins c cnstitut psnnl cd th pupss Civilrights La 50-a, and thus a xmpt m disclsu und FoIL);Molloy v. New York City Police Dept., 50 A.D.3d 98, 851 N.Y.S.2d 480(1st Dpt 2008) (althugh manding uth administativ ac-tin, cut pind that qust lating t invstigatins by NYPDIntnal Aais Buau hich puptdly invlvd a plic culd lily b xmpt m disclsu und Civil rights La 50-a,hich mas cndntial psnnl cds plic cs usd t

valuat pmanc tad cntinud mplymnt and pmtin).

b.Exemption based on unwarranted invasion o privacy.

An agncy may dny accss t cds ptins th that, idisclsd, uld cnstitut an unaantd invasin psnal pi-vacy. N.Y. Pub. o. La 87(2)(b) (Mckinny 1988).

An unaantd invasin psnal pivacy includs, but shall ntb limitd t:

i. disclsu mplymnt, mdical cdit histis p-snal ncs applicants mplymnt;

ii. disclsu itms invlving th mdical psnal cds a clint patint in a mdical acility;

iii. sal las lists nams and addsss i such lists uldb usd cmmcial und-aising pupss;

iv. disclsu inmatin a psnal natu hn disclsuuld sult in cnmic psnal hadship t th subjct pa-ty and such inmatin is nt lvant t th th agncyqusting maintaining it;

v. disclsu inmatin a psnal natu ptd in cn-dnc t an agncy and nt lvant t th dinay such agncy.

(c) Unlss this pvidd by this aticl, disclsu shall ntb cnstud t cnstitut an unaantd invasin psnalpivacy . . .

i. hn idntiying dtails a dltd;

ii. hn th psn t hm a cd ptains cnsnts in itt disclsu;

iii. hn upn psnting asnabl p idntity, a pss accss t cds ptaining t him.

N.Y. Pub. o. La 89(2)(b) and (c) (Mckinny 1988).

(i) General invasion o privacy argument.

Th invasin psnal pivacy xmptin is nt limitd t xampls st th in th statut. See Hanig v. Department o MVehicles, 79 N.Y.2d 106, 588 N.e.2d 750, 580 N.Y.S.2d 715 (19(mdical histis a but n xampl inmatin that culdtud n psnal pivacy).

F cass hich hav limitd accss t cds basd upn a gal invasin pivacy agumnt, see Hearst Corp. v. Oce o SComptroller, 24 Misc.3d 611, 882 A.D.3d 862 (N.Y. Sup. 2009)(bdats stat mplys a xmpt); Rodriguez v. Johnson,, 66 A.D536, 886 N.Y.S.2d 695 (1st Dpt 2009) (pusuant t th public inst, spndnt pply ithhld ctain idntiying chaactis itnsss and th statmnts t itnsss h sp t ncmnt psnnl);Rhino Assets, LLC v. New York City DeptAging (SCRIE PROGRAMS), 60 A.D.3d 538, 876 N.Y.S.2d 20 Dpt 2009) (hlding that nams ths civing SCrIe bna xmpt m disclsu bcaus th natu pgam qumnts uld val th ag and incm individuals civing bts);N.Y . State Rife and Pistol Assn,Inc. v. Kelly, 55 A.D.3d 222, 8N.Y.S.2d 439 (1st Dpt 2008) (qust digital list nams addsss all pistl licnss in N Y City as xmpt disclsu, as disclsu th lists uld cnstitut an unaaninvasin pivacy stmming m th sal las listnams and addsss i such lists uld b usd cmmcialundaising pupss.); Humane Socy o the United States v. Bnan, 53 A.D.3d 909, 861 N.Y.S.2d 234 (3d Dpt 2008) (disclsutlphn numbs psnal tagts an invstigatin as xmm disclsu);Edwards v. New York State Police, 44 A.D.3d 1216, N.Y.S.2d 729 (3d Dpt 2007) (disclsu cim-scn phtga xmpt m disclsu n th gund that thi las cnstitut an unaantd invasin pivacy th victims suviv

amily mmbs); Hawley v. Vill. o Penn Yan, 35 A.D.3d 1270, N.Y.S.2d 390 (4th Dpt 2006) (unlistd and ilss numbs maydactd m a qust a list all calls mad and civd bpublic cial duing a t-mnth pid); New York Times Co. v. o New York Fire Dept, 4 N.Y.3d 477, 796 N.Y.S.2d 302 (2005) (spct t 911 calls mad in cnnctin ith th Sptmb 11, 2tist attacs n th wld Tad Cnt, th public intsth ds th 911 calls is utighd by th intst in pivacths amily mmbs and calls h p that ths ds mpivat); Tate v. De Francesco, 217 A.D.2d. 831, 629 N.Y.S.2d 529 Dpt. 1995) (inmat pivacy); Seeling v. Siela, 201 A.D.2d 298, N.Y.S.2d 300 (1st Dpt. 1994) (th las Scial Scuity numbcnstituts an unaantd invasin pivacy); Lyon v. Dunne, A.D.2d 922, 580 N.Y.S.2d 803, (3d Dpt 1992), motion or leavappeal denied, 79 N.Y.2d 758 (1992) (dacting nams, addsss, d

bith, and phn numbs tps, attnys, invstigats sucs at balancing cmpting intsts public accss anddividual pivacy); Bualo Broad. Company Inc. v. New York State Do Correctional Services, 174 A.D.2d 212, 578 N.Y.S.2d 928 (3d D1992) (alling dactin vid tap iss inmats duAttica upising); Bualo Broad. Company Inc. v. New York State Do Correctional Services, 155 A.D.2d 106, 552 N.Y.S.2d 712, (3d D1990) (inmats hav n gnal xpctatin pivacy, but vidt inmats shing ging t th bathm hich is unddgading humiliating is a psnal natu and uld sulpsnal hadship); Bernier v. Mann, 166 A.D.2d 798, 563 N.Y.S158 (3d Dpt 1990) (inmat pivacy); Dobranski v. Houper, 154 A.D736, 546 N.Y.S.2d 180 (3d Dpt 1989) (dacting inmats piidnticatin, ditay quimnts and nam and addss n


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in); Messina v. Luthansa German Airlines, 83 A.D.2d 831, 441N.Y.S.2d 557 (2d Dpt 1981) (dnying accss t inmatin cncn-ing a claim unmplymnt insuanc bnts as an unaantdinvasin psnal pivacy); Waste-Stream Inc. v. Solid Waste DisposalAuthority, 166 Misc.2d 6, 630 N.Y.S.2d 1020 (Sup. Ct. St. LancCunty 1995) (psnal pivacy xmptin ndd mt);Inner CityPress v. New York City Dept o Housing Preservation , N. 126653/93(Sup. Ct., N Y Cunty, 1993) (dnying accss t hm addsssand Scial Scuity numbs); Village Times v. Three Village Cent. SchoolDist., N. 20325-83 (Sup. Ct., Sul Cunty, Mach 21, 1984) (al-

ling dactin nam upn las disciplinay sttlmnt);N.Y. PIRG Inc. v. City o New York, N.Y.L.J., Spt. 27, 1982 (Sup. Ct.,N Y Cunty, 1982) (dnying accss t N Y City capitalgains tax tuns);In re Lipsman, N.Y.L.J., oct. 1, 1981 (Sup. Ct., NY Cunty, 1981) (dnying accss t gaduat schl tanscipts).

F cass jcting a claim pivacy, sMulgrew v. Board o Educ. oCity School Dist. o City o New York, 31 Misc.3d 296, 919 N.Y.S.2d 786(Sup. Ct. 2011) (jcting a claim that lasing th nams publicschl tachs in Tach Data rpts a an invasin pivacybcaus thi las atinally balancd in th public intst); Sche-nectady County Soc. For Prevention o Cruelty To Animals, Inc v. Mills,74 A.D.3d 1417, 904 N.Y.S.2d 512 (3d Dpt 2010) (spndnt didnt mt budn shing that nams and stt addsss li-cnsd vtinaians as an unaantd invasin pivacy bcausspndnt as unsu hth th addsss it maintaind hm businss addsss);Humane Socy o United States v. Fanslau,54 A.D.3d 537, 863 N.Y.S.2d 519 (3d Dpt 2008) (hlding that dis-clsu Sullivan Cunty Distict Attnys nancial disclsustatmnts ptaining t amily mmbs incm and/ invstmntsdid nt cnstitut an unaantd invasin psnal pivacy undFoIL); Legal Aid Society o Northeastern New York v. New York StateDepartment o Social Services, 195 A.D.2d 150, 605 N.Y.S.2d 785 (3dDpt. 1993) (ganting accss t ctain ai haing dcisins; jctinga pivacy agumnt h idntiying inmatin is dactd); Geamesv. Henry, 173 A.D.2d 825, 572 N.Y.S.2d 635 (2d Dpt 1991) (gantingaccss t cnvictin cd); Cornell University v. City o New York PoliceDept, 153 A.D.2d 515, 544 N.Y.S.2d 356, (1st Dpt 1989), leave de-nied, 75 N.Y.2d 707 (1990) (vlatin dtails sx cim uld ntcnstitut unaantd invasin pivacy h victim cmmncdcivil actin); Thompson v. Weinstein, 150 A.D.2d 782, 542 N.Y.S.2d 33

(2d Dpt 1989) (ganting accss t ciminal cnvictins and pndingciminal actin against itnss as public cds and nt an invasin pivacy); Gannett Co. v. City Clerks Oce, City o Rochester, 157 Misc.2d349, 596 N.Y.S.2d 968 (Sup. Ct. 1993) (ganting accss t nams maiag licns applicants sught by nspap);Faulkner v. DelGiac-co, 139 Misc.2d 790, 529 N.Y.S.2d 255 (Sup. Ct. 1988) (ganting accsst inmats statmnts and nams pisn guads, but dnying accsst invstigativ cds pisn ml);Rainey v. Levitt, 138 Misc.2d962, 525 N.Y.S.2d 551 (Sup. Ct. 1988) (ganting accss t xamina-tin gads ctain psns taing th civil svic xaminatin sgant, jcting a pivacy agumnt); Herald Company v. New YorkState Lottery, N. 01-87-ST0944, (Sup. Ct., Albany Cunty, August28, 1987) (ganting accss t ltty sals gus); Bensing v. LeFevre,133 Misc.2d 198, 506 N.Y.S.2d 822 (Sup. Ct. 1986) (ganting accsst nams inmats in spcial husing unit, jcting agumnts und

Psnal Pivacy Ptctin La and pivacy xmptin); Bahlman v.Brier, 119 Misc.2d 110, 462 N.Y.S.2d 381 (Sup. Ct., 1983) (dltingnams m pt n sic lav city mplys);ABC Inc. v. Siebert,110 Misc.2d 744, 442 N.Y.S.2d 855 (Sup. Ct. 1981) (valing idntity applicant chc cashing licns, jcting invasin psnalpivacy agumnt); Geneva Printing v. Village o Lyons, N. 18713 (Sup.Ct., wayn Cunty, Mach 25, 1981) (ganting accss t cndntialsttlmnt disciplinay actin against villag mply, jctingpivacy agumnt).

(ii)Employment, credit histories, medical histories or medical records.

An unaantd invasin psnal pivacy includs, but shallnt b limitd t:

i. disclsu mplymnt, mdical cdit histis psnal ncs applicants mplymnt;

ii. disclsu itms invlving th mdical psnalcds a clint patint in a mdical acility.

N.Y. Pub. o. La 89(2)(b) (Mckinny 1988).

A mdical histy is inmatin that n uld asnably xpctt b includd as a lvant and matial pat a pp mdical his-ty. A mdical histy is xmpt m disclsu hth nt givn

t a halth ca pvid cntaind in an mplymnt applicatin.Hanig v. Department o Motor Vehicles, 79 N.Y.2d 106, 588 N.e.2d750, 580 N.Y.S.2d 715 (1992) (spnss n divs licns applica-tin gading disabilitis is xmpt as a mdical histy);New York 1News v. President o the Borough o Staten Island, 766 Misc.2d 270, 631N.Y.S.2d 479 (Sup. Ct. 1995) (ganting accss t lmnts a stammbs pi al ittn discussin xpssly adptd by agncyin xplaining its nal dcisin).Rold v. Coughlin, 142 Misc.2d 877, 538N.Y.S.2d 896, (Sup. Ct. 1989) (accss t inmat halth ca cdsgantd ith idntiying dtails dactd); Canty v. Oce o Counsel, 30Misc.3d 705, 913 N.Y.S.2d 528 (Sup. Ct. 2010) (xmpting ptins accidnt pts cctinal c dscibing cs injuisas mdical cds).

An mplymnt histy als may b xmpt. See Obiajulu v. City oRochester, 213 A.D.2d 1055, 625 N.Y.S.2d 779 (4th Dpt. 1995) (hld-

ing that disclsu pmanc valuatins and appaisals d ntcnstitut an invasin pivacy hn idntiying dtails a dltd;disciplinay chags, th agncy dtminatin ths chags, andth pnaltis impsd a nt xmpt m disclsu); Stone v. De-partment o Investigation o City o New York, 172 A.D.2d 165, (1st Dpt1991) (dnying accss t mplymnt histis and cndntial -pts invstigaty l);LaRocca v. Bd. o Educ., 159 Misc.2d 90, 602N.Y.S.2d 1009 (Sup. Ct. 1993) (dnying accss t cds lating ta disciplinay matt as an mplymnt cd), modied, 220 A.D.2d424, 632 N.Y.S.2d 576 (ganting accss t ptins dcumnts ntcnstituting mplymnt histy and t dactd sttlmnt ag-mnt); Willson v. Washburn (Sup. Ct. onida Cunty Nvmb 18,1993) (ganting accss t qusts n psnnl l); Inner CityPress/Community on the Move v. New York City Dept o Housing Preser-vation and Development, N. 35882/92 (Sup. Ct., N Y Cunty,

Januay 26, 1993) (hlding that cdit histis a xmpt m dis-clsu, but that asst statmnts a distinguishabl m cdit his-tis and, th, subjct t disclsu). See George v. New YorkNewsday, N.Y.L.J. octb 4, 1994 (Sup. Ct., N Y Cunty, 1994)(Public ocs La ds nt cat a pivacy caus actin againsta pivat publish impply lasd matials)(iii) Commercialor undraising purposes. An unaantd invasin psnal pivacyincluds, but shall nt b limitd t:

iii. sal las lists nams and addsss i such lists uldb usd cmmcial slicitatin pupss.

Th 2008 amndmnts t FoIL substitut slicitatin cm-mcial t claiy that th intnt th xmptin is t avid thus a list psns nams and sidntial addsss hn th listuld b usd t cntact citizns dictly in thi hms t slicit

thi businss. Futh, hn a qust ss nams and addsss,an agncy may qui th qust t pvid a ittn ctica-tin that th list ill nt b usd th pups ngaging in s-licitatin und-aising.


F cass applying th xmptins claus lativ t qusts cmmcial undaising pupss, s New York State Rife and Pis-tol Assn, Inc. v. Kelly, 55 A.D.3d 222, 863 N.Y.S.2d 439 (1st Dpt2008) (digital list nams and addsss all pistl licnss in NY City as xmpt m disclsu bcaus spndnt pviddspcic p ptitins intnt t us th qustd matials th pupss und-aising and/ cmmcial gain); Scott v. RecordsAccess Ocer, 65 N.Y.2d 294, 480 N.e.2d 1071, 491 N.Y.S.2d 289


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(1985) (dlting nams and addsss accidnt victims m acci-dnt pts sught by la m slicitatin pupss); Gannett Co.v. City Clerks Oce, City o Rochester, 157 Misc.2d 349, 596 N.Y.S.2d968 (Sup. Ct. Mn Cunty 1993) (ganting accss t nams maiag licns applicants sught by nspap); Goodstein v. Shaw,119 Misc.2d 400, 463 N.Y.S.2d 162 (Sup. Ct. 1983) (dnying accsst nams and addsss psns ling cmplaints ith Divisin Human rights hn qustd by pivat attny); In re Nicholas,117 Misc.2d 630, 458 N.Y.S.2d 858 (Sup. Ct. 1983) (dnying accsst incm xcutins t a lay sing t snd cspndnc t

judgmnt dbts); Gramet v. Gilmartin, N. 81-26110 (Sup. Ct., Su-l Cunty, Mach 31, 1982) (dnying accss t ds sgants dailyjunal h qust antd t inm accidnt victims thiights); Golbert v. Suolk Dept o Consumer Aairs, N. 80-9249 (Sup.Ct., Sul Cunty, Spt. 5, 1980) (dnying accss t list hmimpvmnt cntacts);New York State United Teachers v. BrighterChoice Charter School, 15 N.Y.3d 560, 940 N.e.2d 899, 915 N.Y.S.2d194 (2010) (hlding that th nams tachs mplyd at ChatSchls a xmpt m disclsu as an invasin pivacy).

(iv)Economic or personal hardship. An unaantd invasin p-snal pivacy includs, but shall nt b limitd t:

iv. disclsu inmatin a psnal natu hn disclsuuld sult in cnmic psnal hadship t th subjct pa-ty and such inmatin is nt lvant t th th agncy

qusting maintaining it.N.Y. Pub. o. La 89(2)(b) (Mckinny 1988).

F cass h a pivacy agumnt has bn asstd basd ncnmic psnal hadship, s Bualo News v. Bualo Munici-pal Housing Authority, 163 A.D.2d 830, 558 N.Y.S.2d 364, (4th Dpt1990) (ganting accss t payll cds and disciplinay cds asnt cating cnmic psnal hadship and such cds a l-vant t day-t-day patins th agncy); Bualo Broad. CompanyInc. v. New York State Dept o Correctional Services, 155 A.D.2d 106, 552N.Y.S.2d 712, (3d Dpt 1990) (inmats hav n gnal xpctatin pivacy, but vidtap inmats shing ging t th bathm hich is unduly dgading humiliating is a psnal natuand uld sult in psnal hadship);Hopkins v. City o Bualo, 107A.D.2d 1028, 486 N.Y.S.2d 514 (4th Dpt 1985) (ganting accss t

payll cds sval public pjcts); Gannett Co. v. Countyo Monroe, 59 A.D.2d 309, 399 N.Y.S.2d 534 (4th Dpt 1977), ad,45 N.Y.2d 954, 383 N.e.2d 1151, 411 N.Y.S.2d 557 (1978) (gantingaccss t nams and salay lvls tminatd cunty mplys, b-caus th cds lvant and ssntial t th dinay th municipality); Smith v. County o Rensselaer, N. 41-1156-92 (Sup.Ct. rnssla Cunty) (ganting accss t itmizd bills ppad submittd by an attny ing an agncy); Tri-State PublishingCompany v. City o Port Jervis, N. 7498-91 (Sup. Ct. oang Cunty,Mach 4, 1992) (dnying accss t nams and addsss tnants inhusing subsidy pgam ppty ns h all tnants ain subsidy pgam as an unaantd invasin pivacy);Minerva v.Village o Valley Stream, N. 7566/81 (Sup. Ct., Nassau Cunty, May20, 1981) (ganting accss t nt villag attnys paychc, butdnying qust t xamin and cpy th bac th chc n th

basis pivacy xmptin);MacHacek v. Harris, 106 Misc.2d 388, 431N.Y.S.2d 927 (Sup. Ct. 1980) (th mann in hich inmatin illb usd is an impp standad t dtmin cnmic psnalhadship).

(v) Condentiality. An unaantd invasin psnal pivacy in-cluds, but shall nt b limitd t:

v. disclsu inmatin a psnal natu ptd in cn-dnc t an agncy and nt lvant t th dinay such agncy.


F cass cnsiding th issu cndntiality, s Stone v. De-partment o Investigation o City o New York, 172 A.D.2d 165 (1st Dpt

1991) (dnying accss t mplymnt histis and cndntial pts invstigaty l); Cornell University v. City o New York PDept, 153 A.D.2d 515, 544 N.Y.S.2d 356 (1st Dpt 1989), leave den75 N.Y.2d 707 (1990) (ganting disclsu plic invstigativh itnsss nt pmisd annymity); Allen v. Strojnow129 A.D.2d 700, 514 N.Y.S.2d 463 (3d Dpt 1987), motion or leavappeal denied, 70 N.Y.2d 871, 518 N.e.2d 5, 523 N.Y.S.2d 493 (19(dnying accss t nams, addsss, and statmnts cndnitnsss cmpild duing a ciminal invstigatin); see Bualo Ening News v. City o Lackawanna, (Sup. Ct., ei Cunty, Jun 24, 19

(ganting accss t al stat sc cds and hlding that idntity a ppsd suppli t a city cntact is nt inmatia psnal natu); Gannett News Service Inc. v. State Oce o Alcohoand Substance Abuse, 99 Misc.2d 235, 415 N.Y.S.2d 780 (Sup. Ct. 19(ganting accss t dug abus suvys tan scnday schl dnts, althugh schls had bn pmisd cndntiality).

(vi) Deletion o identiying details.

Unlss this pvidd by this aticl, disclsu shall ncnstud t cnstitut an unaantd invasin psnal vacy . . .

i. hn idntiying dtails a dltd;

N.Y. Pub. o. La 89(2)(c) (Mckinny 1988).

Und th pivacy xmptin, an agncy has authity t didntiying dtails pi t disclsu. N.Y. Pub. o. La 89(2(i) (Mckinny 1988). See, e.g., Scott v. Records Access Ocer, 65 N.Y294, 480 N.e.2d 1071, 491 N.Y.S.2d 289 (1985) (dlting nams addsss accidnt victims pi t las accidnt ptscmmcial pupss); Obiajulu v. City o Rochester, 625 N.Y.S.2d (4th Dpt. 1995) (disclsu pmanc valuatins and appals d nt cnstitut an invasin pivacy hn idntiying dta dltd; disciplinay chags, th agncy dtminatin thchags, and th pnaltis impsd a nt xmpt m disclsuHarris v. City University, 114 A.D.2d 805, 495 N.Y.S.2d 175 (lst D1985) (ganting accss t ctain curricula vitae but st ding dtin idntiying inmatin such as nams, addsss and SScuity numbs);Malowsky v. DElia, 160 A.D.2d 798, 163 N.Y.S479, (2d Dpt 1990) (mdical histis a child in st ca his natual pants shall b pvidd und Scial Svics 373(a) at dltin idntiying dtails); Bahlman v. Brier, Misc.2d 110, 462 N.Y.S.2d 381 (Sup. Ct., 1983) (dlting nams pt n sic lav city mplys); Cirino v. Board o EducatN.Y.L.J., July 10, 1980 (Sup. Ct., N Y Cunty, 1980) (ganaccss t achival cds n allgd cmmunists and subvsivs, idntiying dtails dltd).

wh cds a subjct t th spcic statuty xmptiFoILs pvisins dltin idntiying dtails d nt mcndntiality quimnts. Short v. Board o Managers, 57 N.Y399, 442 N.e.2d 1235, 456 N.Y.S.2d 724 (1982).

c. Exemption based on impairment o contract awards or collective bgaining negotiations.

Th FoIL authizs an agncy t dny accss t cds p

tins th that, i disclsd, uld impai psnt imminnt ctact aads cllctiv bagaining ngtiatins. N.Y. Pub. o. L 87(2)(c) (Mckinny 1988). ets by agncis t ithhld dmnts thugh asstin cllctiv bagaining impaimnt amnts hav gnally pvd unsuccssul. See, e.g., Doolan v. BOC48 N.Y.2d 341, 398 N.e.2d 533, 422 N.Y.S.2d 927 (1979) (gantaccss t a BoCeS ppad annual dcumnt cntaining gidata n salais and ing bnts tachs and administatProessional Standards Review o America v. New York State Departmo Health, 193 A.D.2d 937 (3d Dpt. 1993) (ganting accss t ctact bid submittd by pivat ganizatin and t actual and statcal data usd by agncy in maing its nal dtminatin t ath cntact); Waste-Stream Inc. v. Solid Waste Disposal Authority, Misc.2d 6, 630 N.Y.S.2d 1020 (Sup. Ct. 1995) (ganting accss t


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ptntial custms, nams and addsss custms spnd-ing t a qustinnai, ppsd cntacts ith custms and lists all accunts xtndd cdit ithin th past t yas); Babigian v.Evans, 104 Misc.2d 140, 427 N.Y.S.2d 688 (Sup. Ct. 1980), ad, 97A.D.2d 992, 469 N.Y.S.2d 834 (lst Dpt 1983) (ganting accss t list mplys h aadd bac pay); Geneva Printing v. Villageo Lyons, N. 18713 (Sup. Ct.,

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Open Government Guide for New York State