Texas grants access to 'Archaic records'.

• Position: STATE RECORDS - Brief article

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As of September 1, 2011, records closed in Texas by e Public Information Act become open when they turn 75 years old unless they contain the Social Security numbers of living individuals.

Prior to that date, Texas restricted access to public records either by exempting them from required disclosure or, on a case-by-case basis, by declaring them confidential in the statutes creating or defining them.

The legislature and governor have partially resolved the problem by enacting SB 1907. In addition to opening records that have reached 75 years old, another provision allows the legislature to stipulate another period for cases in which someone identifies information that should be closed longer than 75 years.

SB 1907...