HB 197 — An Act amending the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law, in requirements and prohibitions, further providing for Commonwealth agencies.

PRINTER'S NO.   144

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 197
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY CIRESI, GIRAL, KHAN, SAMUELSON, HOWARD, HADDOCK,
        DONAHUE, FREEMAN, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI, BRENNAN, SANCHEZ,
        HARKINS AND DEASY, JANUARY 16, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY,
        JANUARY 16, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), entitled
 2      "An act providing for access to public information, for a
 3      designated open-records officer in each Commonwealth agency,
 4      local agency, judicial agency and legislative agency, for
 5      procedure, for appeal of agency determination, for judicial
 6      review and for the Office of Open Records; imposing
 7      penalties; providing for reporting by State-related
 8      institutions; requiring the posting of certain State contract
 9      information on the Internet; and making related repeals," in
10      requirements and prohibitions, further providing for
11      Commonwealth agencies.
12      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
13   hereby enacts as follows:
14      Section 1.    Section 301(a) of the act of February 14, 2008
15   (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law, is amended and
16   the section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
17   Section 301.    Commonwealth agencies.
18      (a)   [Requirement] Public records requirement.--A
19   Commonwealth agency shall provide public records in accordance
20   with this act.
21      (a.1)   Live telephone service requirement.--When receiving a
 1   telephone call on a publicly accessible telephone line, a
 2   Commonwealth agency:
 3          (1)   Shall allow the individual placing the telephone
 4      call to speak with an employee of the Commonwealth agency who
 5      is able to answer questions about, provide information on and
 6      provide assistance with services and duties of the
 7      Commonwealth agency.
 8          (2)   May not use a computer system or other automated
 9      answering system that impedes the individual placing the
10      telephone call from speaking with an employee of the
11      Commonwealth agency.
12      * * *
13      Section 2.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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