Principle With Law In Pennsylvania
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Right to know is a human right enshrined in law in several countries. UNESCO defines it as the right for people to "participate in an informed way in decisions that affect them, while also holding governments and others accountable".
A summary of the exceptions follows: 1. LOSS OF FUNDS/PERSONAL SECURITY: Records that, if disclosed, would result in the loss of federal or state funds. Also, records whose release would be reasonably likely to result in substantial and demonstrable risk of physical harm to a person or to his or her personal security.
Section 708. Exceptions for public records. (1) The burden of proving that a record of a Commonwealth agency or local agency is exempt from public access shall be on the Commonwealth agency or local agency receiving a request by a preponderance of the evidence.
Under the current RTKL, all state and local government agency records are presumed to be public. This means that if an agency wants to withhold a record, it must prove that it is entitled to do so under the RTKL, another law or regulation, privilege (such as attorney-client privilege), or court order.
The principle of Rule of Law emphasizes that all individuals are subject to the law, and it should be enforced equally for all. Thus, the statement 'Laws should be enforced equally for all people' best exemplifies this principle.
§ 27. The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come.
The law states that an agency cannot limit the number of records which may be requested or made available for inspection or duplication. However, requesters should use good judgment in seeking agency records. The RTKL should not be used to harass or overburden an agency.
Pennsylvania is one of those five states. A couple no longer can enter into a common law marriage in Pennsylvania, but if you were common law married on or before Jan. 1, 2005, your marriage is still valid and recognized by the state. New Jersey does not recognize common law marriages.
It is a good idea to have a legal professional prepare and/or review your Power of Attorney for you before you sign it. Please contact your local legal services program for representation or if you have any questions surrounding Power of Attorney.
Similarly, in Pennsylvania, you must make your will via a hard copy. This means it cannot be a digital, audio, or video will, as the state has not adopted electronic wills as valid. A will also requires the signature of two witnesses in Pennsylvania, who must sign the will in front of the testator.
