Mississippi Public Records Act
Mississippi · Public Officers and Employees; Public Records · §§ 25-61-1 to 25-61-9 · 15 sections
Overview
The act governs public access to records held by government agencies, establishing a general right to inspect and obtain copies of public records and requiring an agency to justify any withholding rather than refuse without explanation. It sets out procedures for making and responding to requests, requires that requesters be treated without discrimination, addresses how records maintained in electronic form must be handled, and restricts the release of sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers. It also allows agencies to disclose records voluntarily in defined circumstances and to share otherwise protected material with prosecuting authorities.
Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.
In the courts
Sections of this act have been cited in 86 court decisions.
Most-cited authority: 47 So. 3d 148 - Buckel v. Chaney
Sections covered
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1Short title; legislative policy regarding right of access to records14 cites
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-10Access to records stored, manipulated or retrieved by sensitive software; acquisition, modification, etc., of systems, etc., used for creation or maintenance of public records data bases
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-11Records exempted or privileged by law10 cites
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-11.1Exemption for private information of persons possessing a weapon permit
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-11.2Exemption for certain information technology records
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12Exemption for private information of law enforcement, judicial and prosecutorial personnel; exceptions3 cites
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-13Mississippi Ethics Commission to enforce chapter; procedure upon complaint by any person denied right to inspect public records; petition to chancery court to enforce or appeal order7 cites
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-15Penalty for wrongful denial of access to record7 cites
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-17Chapter not to affect legislature’s regulation of own proceedings and records access
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-19State agencies and departments required to post to websites legislative updates on legislation revising agency or department powers and duties
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-2State policy regarding access to public records7 cites
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-3Definitions12 cites
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5Public access to records; written explanation required when records cannot be produced within specified time; form and retention of denials [Repealed effective July 1, 2021]13 cites
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7Fees for costs incident to providing records4 cites
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-9Trade secrets and confidential commercial or financial information9 cites
Enacted in other states
All Mississippi named statutes →
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