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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	February 19, 2019 04:11 PM
From:	Representative Kerry A. Benninghoff
To:	All House members
Subject:	Right to Know - Judicial Agency Vacancies

Currently, the Right to Know Law provides judicial agencies with certain exemptions, many of which are appropriately in place due to the sensitive nature of their caseloads. However, as written, records related to court appointments are not available to the public. For example, when vacancies occur in locally-elected offices, they are sometimes filled by appointment through the Court of Common Pleas. I believe any records related to those influential appointments should be available to the public. Local representation is chosen by the voters of Pennsylvania, and I believe that vacancies in these offices should be filled in a manner that is both transparent and accountable. My legislation would require judicial agencies to release such records, upon request, subject to all requirements of and procedures of the Right to Know Law.

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