Baker signs public records overhaul into law

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law the first major overhaul of state public records statutes in more than 4o years, predicting that it will motivate public officials to "up" their performance. Along with requiring state agencies, cities and towns designate records officers to field requests, the new law requires public agencies to provide requested public records within 10 business days, while allowing for extensions beyond that deadline capped at five business days from the original r

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law the first major overhaul of state public records statutes in more than 4o years, predicting that it will motivate public officials to "up" their performance. Along with requiring state agencies, cities and towns designate records officers to field requests, the new law requires public agencies to provide requested public records within 10 business days, while allowing for extensions beyond that deadline capped at five business days from the original r…