Open Records Law

Open Records Act

51 O.S. 24A.1-29 Open Records Act

24A.1. Short title
Section 24A.1 et seq. of this title shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Open Records Act."

24A.2.2 Public Policy Purpose of act
As the Oklahoma Constitution recognizes and guarantees, all political power is inherent in the people.  Thus, it is the public policy of the State of Oklahoma that the people are vested with the inherent right to know and be fully informed about their government. The purpose of this act is to ensure and facilitate the public's right of access to and review of government records so they may efficiently and intelligently exercise their inherent political power..

24A.5. Inspection, copying and/or mechanical reproduction of records:  Exemptions
All records of public bodies and public officials shall be open to any person for inspection, copying, and/or mechanical reproduction during regular business hours.
For exemptions, go to: www.oscn.net, Legal Research, Title 51

24A.17. Violations, Penalties, Civil liability

1. Any public official who willfully violates any provision of the Oklahoma Open Records Act, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
2. Any person denied access to records of a public body or public official:
   1. May bring a civil suit for declarative or injunctive relief, or both, but such civil suit shall be limited to records requested and denied prior to filing of the civil suit; and
   2. If successful, shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees.
3. If the public body or public official successfully defends a civil suit and the court finds that the suit was clearly frivolous, the public body or public official shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees.
4. A public body or public official shall not be civilly liable for damages for providing access to records as allowed under the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

24A.18.  Additional recordkeeping not required
Except as may be required in Section 4[24A.4] of this act, this act does not impose any additional recordkeeping requirements on public bodies or public officials.

For the complete Act, go to www.oscn.net, Legal Research, Title 51.

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