State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs

09/04/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/04/2024 16:18

Government Records Council Releases New Online Open Public Records Act Request Form Portal

Government Records Council Releases New Online Open Public Records Act Request Form Portal

  • Posted on: 09/4/2024

Form Can be Found on the GRC Website

TRENTON, NJ - The Government Records Council ("GRC") today announced that the Adoptable Open Public Records Act (OPRA) Request Form is now available through a new portal on the GRC website. This portal allows agencies at every level of government to adopt the GRC's newly established OPRA request form inclusive of their specific contact information.

As of September 3, 2024, P.L. 2024, c. 16, all agencies are subject to OPRA to "adopt the form established by the Government Records Council . . . for the use of any person who requests access to a government record held or controlled by the public agency." In accordance with this new requirement, the GRC has updated its model OPRA request form to include the following required items:

  1. Certifiable statements addressing commercial purpose and pending litigation [Requestor Information]
  2. New and amended exemptions have been added [Reasons for Denial], and
  3. The information page has been changed to reflect relevant new and amended provisions.

Agencies can access the portal by visiting the GRC website at Government Records Council (GRC) | Adoptable OPRA Request Form (nj.gov).

The GRC is committed to making OPRA work to ensure transparency in New Jersey government. Since the Open Public Records Act's inception in 2001, the GRC has worked to adjudicate complaints about denial of access and educate both the public and government employees through its online materials, OPRA training, and inquiry hotline. The GRC is committed to being the facilitator of open government in New Jersey.

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, historic preservation, and information privacy.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: