Welcome to MuckRock's Connecticut Freedom of Information Act appeal guide!
Each entry provides background and context about an exemption to the public records laws in all fifty states, as well as federal FOIA. Read more about Connecticut's public records law or explore all our expert FOIA guides. Have a public records appeal or information on an exemption we should include? Consider sharing your knowledge with everyone by donating your FOIA appeal language.
Constructive Denial
This guide is for informational purposes only, is general in nature, and is not legal opinion nor legal advice regarding any specific issue or factual circumstance.
There is no legal basis for an agency being completely unresponsive. This behavior is specifically recognized in the law as being inappropriate/illegal.
Example Appeals
The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, as outlined in C.G.S. Section 1-206, specifically requires that an agency provide a response to a public records request within four business days of receipt of that request.
By failing to respond to this request within the legally-mandated timeframe, this agency is in violation of the law.
Please provide acknowledgement of this request and the responsive materials forthwith. If such materials cannot be produced, please provide an appropriate explanation for this rejection, as is dictated by this agency's legal obligations under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. Your accelerated attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Proper Use
An agency has four days to respond to the initial request.
Improper Use
The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act requires that an agency provide a response to a public records request within four business days of receipt of that request.
Key Citations
Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. ยง 1-206(a)
Smith v. Freedom of Info. Comm’n, No. CV125015684S, 2013 Conn. Super. LEXIS 1323 (Super. Ct. June 7, 2013)