New Hampshire’s Department of Safety faced criticism for its handling of a Right-to-Know request related to firearms denial records. In a response, it denied five items in one sentence without explanation, while the sixth item is unaccounted for until December. This raises concerns about transparency and adherence to state law.
This article outlines the annulment process for criminal records in New Hampshire, detailing costs, waiting periods, and implications. Annulment, costing around $350, allows individuals to legally deny previous convictions on applications, but arrest records remain permanently accessible. The piece critiques the misleading nature of the term “annulment” in this context.
Granite State Report (GSR) offers commissioned journalism based on public records and transparency under New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know law. GSR only conducts investigations that serve public interest, disclosing findings to all readers without secrecy. The organization enhances accountability through a structured process, ensuring editorial control and public inclusion in every assignment.
New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Ombudsman position has been vacant for 13 months, compromising public access to records. The position, created to assist those denied information, remains unfilled despite the state’s constitutional promise of transparency. Budget cuts and hiring freezes contribute to this situation, leaving citizens without necessary recourse for disputes.
RSA 91-A, New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law, empowers citizens to access public records within five business days. While it promotes transparency, issues arise from the law’s enforcement machinery, currently hindered by the absence of a functioning ombudsman. This guide details how to effectively navigate the law and its limitations.
New Hampshire’s police body camera law, enacted in 2016, does not mandate camera use, allowing departments to decide. A bill to open footage to the public, HB 1587, was shelved without debate. Currently, most recordings are exempt from disclosure and must be deleted after 180 days, limiting accountability and transparency.
The article “The Right to Know Is Not a Favor” by Dexter Dow emphasizes the importance of transparency in government as a fundamental right. It argues that citizens must have access to records and proceedings to effectively consent to governance. New Hampshire’s laws support this principle, demanding accountability from officials and ensuring that secrecy is not the norm.
The Right-to-Know Law in New Hampshire (RSA 91-A) differs significantly from the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). RSA 91-A mandates quicker responses from local entities, has constitutional backing, and applies uniformly to all requesters. Proposed changes may restrict access based on residency, threatening openness in public record requests.
