WAC 16-06-220   Review of denial of request for inspection or copying of public records.  (1) Any person who objects to the initial denial of a records request may petition in writing to the public records officer for a review of that decision. The petition shall include a copy of or reasonably identify the written statement by the department denying the request.

     (2) The public records officer will immediately consider the petition and either affirm or reverse the denial within two business days following the department's receipt of the petition, or within such other time as the department and the requestor mutually agree to.

     (3) Under RCW 42.56.530, if the department denies a requestor access to public records because it claims the record is exempt in whole or in part from disclosure, the requestor may request the attorney general's office to review the matter. The attorney general has adopted rules on such requests in WAC 44-06-160.

     (4) Any person may obtain court review of a denial of a public records request under RCW 42.56.550 at the conclusion of two business days after the initial denial, regardless of any internal administrative appeal.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. 09-03-032, § 16-06-220, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. 96-14-086, § 16-06-220, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]