Mark Sommaruga has been representing Connecticut school boards and town councils for 22 years, but the focus on public records law has never been more intense than it is right now. The political climate appears to be “one that favors disclosure,” he said, adding there has been increased outcry for transparency in the public sector.
The debate over what legal obligations government agencies have in releasing records was brought to the forefront recently, when the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission ruled the Newtown Police Department was required to release 911 tapes from the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. At the same time, a task force is weighing whether the state should make police photos taken at homicide scenes off limits to the public.
