public records

June 3, 2025 | 5:58 PM

Public records requests as a tool for harassment — Senate advances bill pushing back

Pennsylvania Media Association seeks journalist exception, doesn’t get it.

By Jordan Wilkie/WITF

October 28, 2022 | 5:28 AM

A Pennsylvania county is charging people to search court documents — an unusual and undue burden, experts say

In a one-year period, Washington County collected $1,026.50 from the fee, which experts say is almost impossible to challenge.

By Colin Deppen/Spotlight PA

June 16, 2022 | 5:13 AM

Bill that would limit inmates’ records in Pennsylvania access passes state House

Supporters say it would help stem a tide of frivolous requests that can tie up state resources, while opponents say it’s unlikely to cure the problem and probably unconstitutional.

By Brooke Schultz/The Associated Press

March 21, 2022 | 5:11 AM

Judge admonishes Pennsylvania State Police for response to request seeking email, phone records

The rare public records lawsuit centers on whether data held by the agency’s cell phone provider must be turned over in response to a state Right-to-Know request.

By Gary Harki/Spotlight PA

Updated: 2020-09-16 16:18:11

Top Pa. Republican’s campaign sues journalists over public records costs

Sen. Joseph Scarnati’s campaign is seeking thousands of dollars from a news organization and two journalists, even though a state agency says he’s not entitled to collect the fees.

By Michael Wereschagin/The Caucus and Ed Mahon/Spotlight PA

June 19, 2020 | 4:45 PM

Pa. lawmakers urged to make police discipline records public

A bill advancing in the state House would require some department-to-department disclosure of discipline records during the hiring process for a police officer.

By Marc Levy/Associated Press

tag | public records