NCJ Number
80205
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A panel of experts reviews implications of the Federal Freedom of Information Act and of the Privacy Act for LEAA employees who must comply with the requirements of these laws.
Abstract
The intent of the Freedom of Information Act is to make the Government's information also available to the public. Under this act, any information, except that specifically exempted, is subject to release by Federal employees who must know the provisions of the act in order not to be held personally liable for noncompliance. Requests for information must be received in writing and pertain to an identifiable record kept by the agency. Such requests must be filled within 10 days. Denials of information must go through the Office of General Counsel. Exempted are secret material, internal personnel records of the agency, material exempted by statute, and trade secrets and proprietary data. The Privacy Act pertains to the 10 systems of records maintained by LEAA. The act restricts the kind of information that can be kept on record about an individual; specifically prohibited are records about a person's first amendment rights. Also mandated is the consent of the individual before his or her record can be disclosed by the agency and procedures that allow access and review of records by individuals whom the information concerns. Employees may be subject to disciplinary action or lawsuit if they fail to comply with the requirements of the act.