2008 News

December 19, 2008

Bucks County Introduces New Open Records Officer

Regina ArmitageBucks County government is marking an important first step in complying with the new Right to Know Law, which becomes effective January 1, 2009.   Regina M. Armitage of the Solicitor’s Office will take on the additional duty as the open records officer (ORO), responsible as the public’s point of contact for all requests, a requirement for each agency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the new law.

Armitage has served as a legal secretary in the Solicitor’s Office since September 2004. She has extensive legal background, formerly serving as a paralegal for over 15 years. She has already begun plans to create the necessary infrastructure to have the office up and running by the first of the year.  She plans on enlisting the help of each department by asking for a point of contact so that requests can be handled expeditiously. 

“My main goal is to ensure that Bucks Countains receive the information they request in a timely fashion, and in accordance with the new law,” noted the new ORO.  Three main priorities have been identified in order to get the office functioning. They are developing and implementing policies and procedures, identifying departmental contacts and conducting training, establishing a Web page on the county’s official Web site where information such as fees, as well as forms can be found.

“Gina has my full faith and confidence, and understands the importance of this new role she will fulfill,” noted Jim Cawley, chairman.  “She will have all the resources and support necessary in order to provide the public with the information it rightfully is entitled to.”

Signed into law by Governor Ed Rendell in February 2008, the new Right to Know Law identifies the following items as examples of public records:

  • Grant Applications
  • Contracts
  • Agreements
  • Agency decisions
  • Name, title, Salary of public employees and officials

Types of information excluded from the law include:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Drivers license numbers
  • Employee numbers
  • Home, cellular or personal phone numbers
  • Personal financial information
  • Spouse’s name, marital status, beneficiary or dependent information
  • Home addresses of law enforcement and judges
  • Identity of confidential informants
  • Autopsy reports – except that name, cause and manner of death, which are public
  • Records that identify social service recipients, including welfare recipients
  • A minor’s name, home address, date of birth
  • Constituent requests to a member of the House or Senate
  • Library circulation cards
  • Pre-decisional deliberations

Members of the public will soon be able to request information electronically on the county Web site, www.BucksCounty.org.   All information pertaining to the law will also be found there.