Watchdogs: NYS Openness Law Should NOT Be Changed in Secret

Apparently, the New York State Senate Democratic Caucus is discussing major changes to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) as part of its response to the police secrecy provisions in section 50-A of the Civil Rights Law. FOIL is New York’s cornerstone public records and government accountability “sunshine” law.

Watchdogs say major changes to the state’s most important transparency law should not be made in secret and should be thoroughly vetted by outside experts representing journalists, the legal bar and transparency groups. Legislation to change FOIL, so crucial to transparency in government and in law enforcement, should not be crafted through secret discussions.

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