Policy

(1) The Tennessee Public Records Act (“TPRA”) provides that all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of this state, and those in charge of the records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen, unless otherwise provided by state law. Accordingly, the public records of the Agency are presumed to be open for inspection unless an exemption is otherwise provided by law. Personnel of the Agency shall provide access and assistance in a timely and efficient manner to persons requesting access to public records. None of the provisions of this rule shall be used to hinder access to open public records; however, the integrity and organization of public records, as well as the efficient and safe operation of the Agency shall be protected as provided by current law. Concerns about the provisions or enforcement of this rule should be addressed to the Agency’s Public Records Request Coordinator. (2) Definitions: (a) “Records custodian” means the office, official or employee lawfully responsible for the direct custody and care of a public record. The records custodian is not necessarily the original preparer or receiver of the record. (b) “Public records” mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files and output, films, sound recordings, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental agency. (c) “Public records request coordinator” means the individual, or individuals, responsible for ensuring public record requests are routed to the appropriate records custodian and are fulfilled in accordance with the TPRA. The public records request coordinator may also be a records custodian. (d) “Redacted record” means a public record otherwise open for public inspection from which protected or confidential information is removed or obscured prior to release or inspection. (e) “Requestor” means the person requesting access to a public record, whether inspection or duplication.