Oklahoma § 51-24A.2 - Public policy - Purpose of act

§ 51-24A.2. Public policy - Purpose of act

As the Oklahoma Constitution recognizes and guarantees, all

political power is inherent in the people. Thus, it is the public

policy of the State of Oklahoma that the people are vested with the

inherent right to know and be fully informed about their government.

The Oklahoma Open Records Act shall not create, directly or

indirectly, any rights of privacy or any remedies for violation of

any rights of privacy; nor shall the Oklahoma Open Records Act,

except as specifically set forth in the Oklahoma Open Records Act,

establish any procedures for protecting any person from release of

information contained in public records. The purpose of this act is

to ensure and facilitate the public's right of access to and review

of government records so they may efficiently and intelligently

exercise their inherent political power. The privacy interests of

individuals are adequately protected in the specific exceptions to

the Oklahoma Open Records Act or in the statutes which authorize,

create or require the records. Except where specific state or

federal statutes create a confidential privilege, persons who submit

information to public bodies have no right to keep this information

from public access nor reasonable expectation that this information

will be kept from public access; provided, the person, agency or

political subdivision shall at all times bear the burden of

establishing such records are protected by such a confidential

privilege. Except as may be required by other statutes, public

bodies do not need to follow any procedures for providing access to

public records except those specifically required by the Oklahoma

Open Records Act.

Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1985. Amended by Laws

1988, c. 187, § 2, emerg. eff. June 6, 1988.