FreedomOfInformationPolicy

Data Access or Obtainment Process Main requirements for the request to access or obtain public information: 1. A request shall be made in writing or electronically; 2. A “public information request form”, as approved by the public entity, shall be filled in; 3. A request shall clearly state that it is for purposes of access to or obtainment of public information; 4. A request shall give details about how the final decision and notices are to be sent to the Requestor (for example, via the national address, email, or through the entity’s website, etc.); 5. A request shall be sent directly to the public entity. Figure 3: Public Information Access or Obtainment Process Public Process for Requesting Access to or Obtainment of Public Information 1. Requests shall be submitted by filling out a “public information request form” – in an electronic or paper format – to the public entity in possession of the information. 2. The public entity shall, within a period not less than 30 days from the date of receipt of the request to access or obtain public information, issue one of the following decisions: a. Approval: If the public entity approves a request to access or obtain information in whole or in part, it shall notify the Requestor in writing of the applicable fees, and shall make this information available to the Requestor within a period not exceeding 10 days from the receipt of payment. b. Denial: If the public entity denies a request to access or obtain information, a rejection decision shall be made in writing or electronically and shall include the following information: o! Whether the request is denied in whole or in part; o! The grounds for denial, if applicable; o! A statement of the right to appeal such denial, and how to exercise this right. c. Extension: In the event the public entity is unable to process request to access or obtain information in due time, it shall reasonably extend the response time as per the size and nature of the requested information; for example, said extension period shall not exceed an additional 30 calendar days. The public entity shall thereafter provide the Requestor with the following information: Public o! Notice of extension and new date when the request is expected to be completed; o! The grounds for delay; o! A statement of the right to appeal such extension, and how to exercise this right. d. Notice: If the required information is available on the entity’s website, or does not fall within its competence, that entity shall notify the Requestor, in writing or via electronic means, of the following information: o! The type of notice, for example, the required data is available on the entity’s website, or does not fall within its competence; o! A statement of the right to appeal this notice and how to exercise this right. 3. Should an applicant intend to appeal a decision of denial by a public entity, he may submit a written or electronic notice of appeal to the entity’s office within a period not exceeding ten working days from the date of receiving the decision of the public entity. The appeal committee within the entity’s office shall review the application and make the appropriate decision. It shall also notify the applicant of the related fees, which are to be refunded if the committee approves the appeal, and of the appeal decision.