West Virginia Freedom of Information Act Quiz Welcome to your West Virginia Freedom of Information Act Quiz What is the purpose of West Virginia’s FOIA? To ensure all public agency meetings are open to the public To provide full information about public affairs and official acts To protect employees who report wrongdoing or waste from retaliation by their employer To ensure public records are maintained and available throughout their life-cycle. None Who can submit a FOIA request in West Virginia? Any natural person, corporation, partnership, firm, or association. Registered West Virginia voters. Credentialed members of the media. Government officials None True or False: A public record is defined as any writing prepared or received by a public body and relates to the conduct of the public’s business. True False None What must be included in a FOIA Request? Proof of residency or citizenship in West Virginia Declaration that the information will not be shared or posted online Justification on why the information is being sought or how it will be used Reasonable specificity of the information being sought None What is the maximum response time for a FOIA request in West Virginia? 5 business days, excluding weekends and legal holidays 10 business days, excluding weekends and legal holidays 3 business days, excluding weekends and legal holidays No Limit None A public body may establish reasonably calculated fees to reimburse it for the actual cost of: Making reproductions of records Legal research to determine if records are exempt Searching for, retrieving, and reproducing the records Producing and maintaining new records associated with the request None What must the custodian provide if the request is denied? The agency's written FOIA policy Nothing Written reasons for denial Fee waiver on the next request None What action can be taken if a person is denied the right to inspect the public record of a public body? File an appeal with the West Virginia Ethics Commission File for injunctive or declaratory relief in the circuit court of the county where the public records reside. None. The public agency has the right to withhold information according to internal policy. File an appeal with the West Virginia Secretary of State None Which is a key exemption under §29B-1-4? Budgets, ledgers, and check registers Trade secrets Emails and text messages Employment contracts and salaries None Which of the following is an example of a personal privacy exemption? Calendars and appointment logs Employment contracts and salaries Public Emails Social Security numbers and medical information None Time's up
