Laws Governing the Office of Public Records
The Public Records Management Act of 1985 (DC Law 6-19) included all media in its definition of "public records":
Any document, book, photographic image, electronic data recording, electronic mail, paper, video recording, sound recording, microfilm, computer disk, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristic, that documents a transaction or activity made, received, or retained pursuant to law or in connection with the transaction of public business by or with any officer or employee of the District. The medium upon which such information is recorded shall have no bearing on the determination of whether the record is a public record.
Mayor's Order 86-28 established the Office of Public Records Management, Archival Administration and Library of Government Information (Office of Public Records) in the Office of the Secretary on February 11, 1986, in accordance with the Public Records Management Act, to collect and preserve the history of the District government.
DC Code 2-1709 requires elected and appointed officials to relinquish public records to their successors or administrators:
(a) On or before the expiration of the term of office of an elected or appointed official, all public records, books, writings, and letters in the custody of the official shall be promptly transmitted or relinquished to the official's successor or, if there is none, to the Administrator.
(b) Any official who maliciously destroys, defaces, or removes any public record, as defined by this chapter, shall be subject to the penalties established in section 14. [Note: section 14 of the Public Records Management Act establishes that this action could lead to civil action.]
DC Code, Title 2, Chapter 17, establishes the responsibilities of the Office of Public Records and its divisions -- Public Records Center, D.C. Archives, and Library of Government Information
DC Municipal Regulations and DC Register, Title 1, Chapter 15 establishes procedures for each agency to maintain its records.
The Public Records Management Act of 1985 (DC Law 6-19) included all media in its definition of "public records":
Any document, book, photographic image, electronic data recording, electronic mail, paper, video recording, sound recording, microfilm, computer disk, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristic, that documents a transaction or activity made, received, or retained pursuant to law or in connection with the transaction of public business by or with any officer or employee of the District. The medium upon which such information is recorded shall have no bearing on the determination of whether the record is a public record.
Mayor's Order 86-28 established the Office of Public Records Management, Archival Administration and Library of Government Information (Office of Public Records) in the Office of the Secretary on February 11, 1986, in accordance with the Public Records Management Act, to collect and preserve the history of the District government.
DC Code 2-1709 requires elected and appointed officials to relinquish public records to their successors or administrators:
(a) On or before the expiration of the term of office of an elected or appointed official, all public records, books, writings, and letters in the custody of the official shall be promptly transmitted or relinquished to the official's successor or, if there is none, to the Administrator.
(b) Any official who maliciously destroys, defaces, or removes any public record, as defined by this chapter, shall be subject to the penalties established in section 14. [Note: section 14 of the Public Records Management Act establishes that this action could lead to civil action.]
DC Code, Title 2, Chapter 17, establishes the responsibilities of the Office of Public Records and its divisions -- Public Records Center, D.C. Archives, and Library of Government Information
DC Municipal Regulations and DC Register, Title 1, Chapter 15 establishes procedures for each agency to maintain its records.