A panel of Vermont lawmakers reviewing the state’s public records law plans to issue its report to the full Legislature next month.
Sen. Claire Ayer, a member of the Public Records Legislative Study Committee, says it appears poised to restrict access to academic research at the University of Vermont and Vermont State Colleges, except for access involving research into the care and treatment of animals.
The committee met last week, and has been delving into the more than 200 exemptions from the underlying Vermont law that says records generated by the various arms of government need to be open for inspection by members of the public.
Ayer says the committee will recommend that records regarding patient health care for individuals remain private.