Opinion ID: 1334161
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Waiver of Exemptions

Text: Section 30-4-30(a) provides: [a]ny person has a right to inspect or copy any public record of a public body, except as otherwise provided by § 30-4-40, in accordance with reasonable rules concerning time and place of access. Section 30-4-40 lists several matters which are exempt from disclosure under the provisions of this chapter. Subsection 30-4-30(c) provides, in pertinent part: [e]ach public body, upon written request for records made under this chapter, shall within fifteen days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) of the receipt of any such request notify the person making such request of its determination and the reasons therefor.... If written notification of the determination of the public body as to the availability of the requested public record is neither mailed nor personally delivered to the person requesting the document within the fifteen days allowed herein, the request must be considered approved. The special referee found the exemptions in § 30-4-40 absolute despite District's failure to timely respond. Litchfield argues because District failed to reply within fifteen days, the request is considered approved and the exemptions waived. We disagree. We hold under § 30-4-30(c) failure to respond within fifteen days means the disclosure of non-exempt material at the time and place of access which the party requested is deemed approved. Under § 30-4-40 the matters listed are exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the FOIA. (emphasis added). We decline to hold these exemptions can be waived by the public body's failure to respond within fifteen days. The special referee correctly held these exemptions could not be waived. [1]