WAC 132X-10-110   Review of denials of public records requests.  (1) Any person who objects to the denial of a request for a public record may petition for prompt review of such decision by tendering a written request for review. The written request shall specifically refer to the written statement by the public records officer and/or his/her designees which constituted or accompanied the denial.

     (2) Immediately after receiving a written request for review of a decision denying a public record, the public records officer and/or his/her designee denying the request shall refer it to the president. The president or his/her designee shall consider the college's obligation to comply with the intent of chapter 42.17 RCW, the exemptions provided in RCW 42.17.310 or other pertinent statutes, and the statutory provisions which require the college to protect public records from damage or disorganization, prevent excessive interference with essential college functions, and prevent any unreasonable invasion of personal privacy by deleting identifying details. In any case, the request shall be returned with a final decision, within five business days following the original denial.

     (3) Administrative remedies shall not be considered exhausted until the college has returned the petition with a decision or until the close of the fifth business day following denial of inspection, whichever occurs first.

     (4) Whenever the college concludes that a public record is exempt from disclosure and denies inspection and copying, the requestor may request a review of the matter by the office of the attorney general. A written request for review by the attorney general's office, along with a copy of the request and the college's written denial should be sent directly to the office of attorney general in Olympia, Washington. The office of the attorney general will conduct a prompt and independent review of the request and the college's denial and provide a written opinion as to whether the record requested is exempt from disclosure. This review is not binding upon the college or the requestor.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140(13). 00-05-023, § 132X-10-110, filed 2/8/00, effective 3/10/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140. 88-21-071 (Order 88-1), § 132X-10-110, filed 10/18/88.]