NYS Public Officers Law
Laws 1909, Chap. 51.

The Public Officers Law sets forth the qualifications,
powers and duties of government officials in New York State.
Of interest to many is the inclusion of the Freedom of
Information Law (FOIL) and the Open Meetings Law.
Through FOIL, every agency must appoint a person to
handle FOIL requests. Tenants may examine and copy
documents held by the agency. The law sets forth the
appeal process if the agency denies access on any number
of enumerated grounds (which can be common and not
always legal) and the Committee on Open Government which
can be helpful in opening up a recalcitrant agency.



AN ACT in relation to public officers, constituting chapter forty-
seven of the consolidated laws. Became a law February 17, 1909, with
the approval of the Governor. Passed, three-fifths being present. The
People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows:


CHAPTER 47 OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS
PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW



The complete Public Officers Law (345k).

Table of Contents

Article 1. -- Short title; definitions (Secs. 1, 2).
Article 2. -- Appointment and qualification of public officers (Secs. 3-19).
Article 2-A. -- Actions on official bonds or undertakings (Secs. 20-28).
Article 3. -- Creation and filling of vacancies (Secs. 30-43).
Article 4. -- Powers and duties of public officers (Secs. 60-79).
Article 5. -- Delivery of public books (Sec. 80).
Article 6. -- Freedom of information law (Secs. 84-90).
Article 6-A. -- Personal privacy protection law (Secs. 91-99).
Article 7. -- Open meetings law (Secs. 100-111).
Article 8. -- Construction; laws repealed; when to take effect (Secs. 115-117).