Biden applauds passage of strengthened Freedom of Information Act

DOVER – To address a long-running issue with the state’s Freedom of Information Act, Attorney
General Beau Biden strongly supported legislation championed by Senate President Pro Tem
Anthony DeLuca, House Speaker Robert Gilligan, and Sen. Karen Peterson to strengthen FOIA.
Senate Bill 283 allows the Attorney General’s office to intervene on behalf of citizens in FOIA
disputes with state agencies if the agency fails to comply with the office’s advice to produce the
requested records. Under current law, citizens themselves are required to file a lawsuit in FOIA
disputes with state agencies.

“Since we took office we have looked for ways to make it easier for citizens to get information
about their government and this new procedure is the latest step in that process,” Biden said. “It
makes seeking information easier and less costly to obtain. President Pro Tem DeLuca and Speaker
Gilligan are ensuring that citizens have even more access to information. We would also like to
thank Senator Peterson for her leadership on an issue she has been devoted to for many years.”
SB 283, which passed unanimously in the Senate last week, passed unanimously in the House of
Representatives late yesterday and now heads to Governor Jack Markell.

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