Source: http://oip.hawaii.gov/laws-rules-opinions/uipa/uniform-information-practices-act-uipa/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 16:16:10+00:00

Document:
This is an unofficial version of the Uniform Information Practices Act (Modified), chapter 92F, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“UIPA”). It contains all amendments enacted through the Legislature’s 2017 regular session.
The policy of conducting government business as openly as possible must be tempered by a recognition of the right of the people to privacy, as embodied in section 6 and section 7 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.
“Agency” means any unit of government in this State, any county, or any combination of counties; department; institution; board; commission; district; council; bureau; office; governing authority; other instrumentality of state or county government; or corporation or other establishment owned, operated, or managed by or on behalf of this State or any county, but does not include the nonadministrative functions of the courts of this State.
“Government record” means information maintained by an agency in written, auditory, visual, electronic, or other physical form.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, government, or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, or any other legal entity.
§92F-11 Affirmative agency disclosure responsibilities. (a) All government records are open to public inspection unless access is restricted or closed by law.
(b) Except as provided in section 92F-13, each agency upon request by any person shall make government records available for inspection and copying during regular business hours.
(c) Unless the information is readily retrievable by the agency in the form in which it is requested, an agency shall not be required to prepare a compilation or summary of its records.
(d) Each agency shall assure reasonable access to facilities for duplicating records and for making memoranda or abstracts.
§92F-14 Significant privacy interest; examples. (a) Disclosure of a government record shall not constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy if the public interest in disclosure outweighs the privacy interests of the individual.
(10) Information that if disclosed would create a substantial and demonstrable risk of physical harm to an individual.
§92F-15 Judicial enforcement. (a) A person aggrieved by a denial of access to a government record may bring an action against the agency at any time within two years after the agency denial to compel disclosure.
(b) In an action to compel disclosure, the circuit court shall hear the matter de novo; provided that if the action to compel disclosure is brought because an agency has not made a record available as required by section 92F-15.5(b) after the office of information practices has made a decision to disclose the record and the agency has not appealed that decision within the time period provided by 92F-43, the decision of the office of information practices shall not be subject to challenge by the agency in the action to compel disclosure. Opinions and rulings of the office of information practices shall be admissible and shall be considered as precedent unless found to be palpably erroneous, except that in an action to compel disclosure brought by an aggrieved person after the office of information practices upheld the agency’s denial of access to the person as provided in section 92F-15.5(b), the opinion or ruling upholding the agency’s denial of access shall be reviewed de novo. The circuit court may examine the government record at issue, in camera, to assist in determining whether it, or any part of it, may be withheld.
(c) The agency has the burden of proof to establish justification for nondisclosure.
(d) If the complainant prevails in an action brought under this section, the court shall assess against the agency reasonable attorney’s fees and all other expenses reasonably incurred in the litigation.
(e) The circuit court in the judicial circuit in which the request for the record is made, where the requested record is maintained, or where the agency’s headquarters are located shall have jurisdiction over an action brought under this section.
[§92F-15.3] Notice to the office of information practices. When filing a civil action that is under, related to, or is affected by this chapter, a person shall notify the office of information practices in writing at the time of the filing. The office of information practices may intervene in the action.
§92F-15.5 Alternative method to appeal a denial of access. (a) When an agency denies a person access to a government record, the person may appeal the denial to the office of information practices in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 92F-42(12). A decision to appeal to the office of information practices for review of the agency denial shall not prejudice the person’s right to appeal to the circuit court after a decision is made by the office of information practices.
[§92F-17] Criminal penalties. (a) An officer or employee of an agency who intentionally discloses or provides a copy of a government record, or any confidential information explicitly described by specific confidentiality statutes, to any person or agency with actual knowledge that disclosure is prohibited, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, unless a greater penalty is otherwise provided for by law.
(2) Take steps to assure that all its employees and officers responsible for the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of government records are informed of the requirements of this chapter.
(12) The number of written requests for access within the preceding year, the number denied, the number of lawsuits initiated against the agency under this part, and the number of suits in which access was granted.
(11) Otherwise subject to disclosure under this chapter.
§92F-21.5 REPEALED. L 199O, c 250, §4.
(B) Reports prepared or compiled at any stage of the process of enforcement of the criminal laws from arrest or indictment through confinement, correctional supervision, and release from supervision.
(2) The disclosure of which would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the agency under an express or implied promise of confidentiality.
(3) Consisting of testing or examination material or scoring keys used solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in public employment, or used as or to administer a licensing examination or an academic examination, the disclosure of which would compromise the objectivity, fairness, or effectiveness of the testing or examination process.
(4) Including investigative reports and materials, related to an upcoming, ongoing, or pending civil or criminal action or administrative proceeding against the individual.
92F-23 Access to personal record; initial procedure. Upon the request of an individual to gain access to the individual’s personal record, an agency shall permit the individual to review the record and have a copy made within ten working days following the date of receipt of the request by the agency unless the personal record requested is exempted under section 92F-22. The ten-day period may be extended for an additional twenty working days if the agency provides to the individual, within the initial ten working days, a written explanation of unusual circumstances causing the delay.
[§92F-24] Right to correct personal record; initial procedure. (a) An individual has a right to have any factual error in that person’s personal record corrected and any misrepresentation or misleading entry in the record amended by the agency which is responsible for its maintenance.
§92F-25 Correction and amendment; review procedures. (a) Not later than thirty business days after receipt of a request for review of an agency refusal to allow correction or amendment of a personal record, the agency shall make a final determination.
§92F-27 Civil actions and remedies. (a) An individual may bring a civil action against an agency in a circuit court of the State whenever an agency fails to comply with any provision of this part, and after appropriate administrative remedies under sections 92F-23, 92F-24, and 92F-25 have been exhausted.
(b) Opinions and rulings of the office of information practices shall be admissible and shall be considered as precedent unless found to be palpably erroneous, except that the opinion or ruling upholding the agency’s denial of access to the aggrieved person shall be reviewed de novo. The circuit court may examine the record at issue, in camera, to assist in determining whether it, or any part of it, may be withheld.
(c) In any action brought under this section the court may order the agency to correct or amend the complainant’s personal record, to require any other agency action, or to enjoin such agency from improper actions as the court may deem necessary and appropriate to render substantial relief.
(2) The costs of the action together with reasonable attorney’s fees as determined by the court.
(e) The court may assess reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred against the agency in any case in which the complainant has substantially prevailed, and against the complainant where the charges brought against the agency were frivolous.
§92F-27.5 Alternative method to appeal a denial of access. (a) When an agency denies an individual access to that individual’s personal record, the individual may appeal the denial to the office of information practices in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 92F-42(12). A decision to appeal to the office of information practices for review of the agency denial shall not prejudice the individual’s right to appeal to the circuit court after a decision is made by the office of information practices.
(2) The comptroller shall not have the power to supervise or control the office of information practices in the exercise of its functions, duties, and powers under section 92F-42.
(b) The governor shall appoint a director of the office of information practices to be its chief executive officer and who shall be exempt from chapter 76.
(c) All powers and duties of the office of information practices are vested in the director and may be delegated to any other officer or employee of the office.
(d) The director may employ any other personnel that are necessary, including attorneys and clerical staff. The office of information practices shall follow and be subject to all applicable personnel laws. All personnel of the office of information practices shall be employed without regard to chapter 76.
(3) The agency’s principal place of business is located.
(b) The agency shall give notice of the complaint to the office of information practices and the person who requested the decision for which the agency seeks judicial review by serving a copy of the complaint on each; provided that the office of information practices and the person who requested the decision shall not be required to participate in the proceeding; and provided further that the court shall proceed to review the decision pursuant to the rules applicable to a special proceeding, upon the expiration of time that an answer to the complaint would otherwise need to be filed under the rules of court by the office of information practices or the person upon whom the complaint was served. The office of information practices or the person who requested the decision may intervene in the proceeding.

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