Pandemic Highlights Shortcomings of Pa.'s Open Records Law

News outlets said in March that Pennsylvania’s Department of Health “hides behind other state statutes” to block the release of COVID-19 data – but it’s far from the only agency or organization to do so.

During a hearing with the House State Government Committee on March 9, Pa. Media Group President Cate Barron said law enforcement agencies, the Department of Community and Economic Development and other governmental organizations routinely deny right-to-know requests by claiming the information sought is protected by other state laws.

In the case of the pandemic, it’s the Diseas...