Working for an attorney, I send and facilitate open records requests at least once a week. The phrase “Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act…” is practically etched in my brain.
Usually, these companies and medical providers are fairly cooperative with these requests and produce the requested documents in a reasonable time. We also ask in our request that the documents be produced within 60 days of receiving the letter and make it clear that we are willing to pay any reasonable copy and transfer costs.
That being said, releasing an individual’s medical records to an attorney for a civil suit is completely different than a collegiate athletic department releasing it’s annual budget to a reporter. I think the new laws are extremely damaging to the public, because we generally have a short attention span. If a reporter cannot get the requested documents for three months, public outcry and/or interest in an important story may be chilled. I’m disappointed in these laws. I think they give institutions far too much time to clean up their acts and be deceptive with finances and other information.
From my experience, the best way to tackle these new laws would be to remain persistent. Continually send follow up requests within the three month period to ensure the school understands that the story is not going away. Unfortunately, being a pest is often the best way to get information in these situations.