Commonwealth Court Halts Release of Home Addresses of Public School Employees
On July 28, 2009, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court entered the dispute over whether the home addresses of public school employees are a matter of public record under the Right to Know Law. In the past, the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records has taken the view that the addresses are not protected from release under the exceptions included in the Right to Know Law, as the only exception provided for home addresses is for law enforcement officers and judges. The Commonwealth Court has now stayed the release of any addresses of public school employees and enjoined the Office of Open Records from Ordering the release of such addresses.
For now, Districts currently facing a request for home addresses may safely refuse to provide them. The Commonwealth Court has indicated that an opinion will follow and further details will be post on the blog when that occurs.
