- Introduced -

SB 686 - This act establishes that all pleadings, motions and other documents filed in civil cases are open public records, with limited exceptions. Certain records which are sealed under current law, such as records in juvenile cases and records of judicial disciplinary complaints where a investigation is conducted and no formal case is filed, remain sealed. The act authorizes judges to order that records be sealed if the requesting party can show that the request is narrowly tailored and that no less restrictive means exist to protect disclosure of prejudicial or confidential information and that: (a) the information is a trade secret; (b) the information would cause undue harm to a party; and (c) an interest exists which substantially outweighs the right of public access to the information.

ALAN KELLY