New law prohibits inmates from harassing agencies with requests

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill that seeks to stop inmates from overburdening the Department of Corrections with records requests, the AP reported. The law goes into effect immediately. The bill allows agencies or public employees to refer requests to a superior court judge, who will decide if the requests are legitimate, harassing or intimidating or if they could lead to a security breach.

Jail and prison inmates would be blocked from using public records laws to intimidate or harass state agencies and employees under a measure Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law Friday.

Gregoire quickly signed the bill the same day the Senate unanimously passed it after concurring with some changes made in the House. The House passed the bill on a 94-2 vote Wednesday.

The measure has an emergency clause and goes into effect immediately.

More here.

Also, Legislature approves bill that could limit inmate access to public records, Seattle Times, here.