Which type of records are typically exempt from immediate access under OPRA?

Records requiring medium conversion are typically exempt from immediate access under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). This provision recognizes that some documents may not be available in their requested format because they exist in a different medium, such as paper, film, or other archives that need to be digitized or otherwise adapted for access.

This exemption is significant because it allows government entities to manage records efficiently while maintaining the quality and accuracy of the information being provided. Medium conversion can involve additional time and resources, so the act permits these records to be exempt until they have been transitioned to a more accessible format.

In contrast, meeting agendas, audit results, and publicly available documents do not typically fall under such exemptions. Meeting agendas are usually readily accessible since they are designed to inform the public about scheduled meetings. Audit results are often deemed public information to ensure transparency and accountability within government entities. Publicly available documents, by their very nature, do not require special permissions or conversions to access, as their availability is intended to promote public participation and awareness.