Timely response to OPRA requests is required, says GRC

OPRA custodians can “respond” within the 7-business day response period by requesting an extension of time. But repeated extensions, excessive delay, or just ignoring a request outright is in essence a denial without saying so. That delay under the guise of cooperation could result in a requestor missing the usual 45-day window in which to file a court action, on top of denying the requestor the timely benefit of the desired records. The GRC just shook its finger at Kean University for granting itself an excessive extension in one example of such abuse. Read more below.

 

 

NJ Open Government Notes
GRC calls Kean U.’s 18 extensions seeking a total of 170 days to respond to an OPRA “clearly excessive.”
by John Paff
Feb. 3, 2017