Washington § 42.56.100 - Protection of public records — Public access.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 42.56.100 — Protection of public records — Public access., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 42.56.100. Protection of public records — Public access.

Agencies shall adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations, and the office of the secretary of the senate and the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives shall adopt reasonable procedures allowing for the time, resource, and personnel constraints associated with legislative sessions, consonant with the intent of this chapter to provide full public access to public records, to protect public records from damage or disorganization, and to prevent excessive interference with other essential functions of the agency, the office of the secretary of the senate, or the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives. Such rules and regulations shall provide for the fullest assistance to inquirers and the most timely possible action on requests for information. Nothing in this section shall relieve agencies, the office of the secretary of the senate, and the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives from honoring requests received by mail for copies of identifiable public records.
If a public record request is made at a time when such record exists but is scheduled for destruction in the near future, the agency, the office of the secretary of the senate, or the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives shall retain possession of the record, and may not destroy or erase the record until the request is resolved.
[ 1995 c 397 s 13; 1992 c 139 s 4; 1975 1st ex.s. c 294 s 16; 1973 c 1 s 29 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved November 7, 1972). Formerly RCW 42.17.290.]

Notes

Effective date—1995 c 397: See note following RCW 29B.40.020.
Effective date—Construction—1973 c 1: See notes following RCW 29B.05.010.

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 42.56.100

What does Revised Code of Washington § 42.56.100 cover?

Section 42.56.100 ("Protection of public records — Public access.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 42.56.100?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 42.56.100" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

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