![]() ![]() An exemption will not be inferred or presumed. A record or portion of a record must fit squarely within a specific exemption in order to be withheld otherwise, the withholding is invalid. References to some statutes outside the PRA are made within the PRA and others stand alone. An agency can refuse inspection and copying of public records based on exemptions found either in the PRA or in an "other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records." RCW 42.56.070(1). The PRA requires exemptions to be narrowly construed to promote the public policy of disclosure. Instead, this Chapter provides general guidance on exemptions and summarizes many of the ones most frequently encountered by requesters and agencies. A full treatment of all exemptions is beyond the scope of this Open Government Resource Manual. The Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee (“ Sunshine Committee”) is charged with reviewing exemptions in state law and making recommendations for changes. For a list of these exemptions, see the linked table prepared by the Office of the Code Reviser (see the list under “Schedule of Review,” then select the most recent year). Many court cases interpret these exemptions, and new exemptions can be created or modified each year by the Legislature. If an exemption applies to all or part of a record, the exempt content can be withheld or deleted (redacted). These laws are called “exemptions.” The PRA and other statutes provide hundreds of very specific exemptions. ![]() Records must be produced upon request unless a law “exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records.” RCW 42.56.070(1). 2.1 Exemptions Permit Withholding or Redaction of Records
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