How to Make a Public Records Act Requestwith CSD
Public Records Act requests can be verbal or in writing.
a. Verbal Requests
Individuals may make verbal requests by telephone between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays:
Department of Community Services and Development
2389 Gateway Oaks, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 576-7109
b. Written Requests
Written requests may be delivered personally, via email at [email protected], or via U.S mail or other courier, to the following mailing address:
Department of Community Services and Development
2389 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95833
c. Requests must be reasonable
Requests need to describe existing, reasonably identifiable records that are relevant to the business of CSD.
d. Requests do not need to be formal or technically accurate
Requests need not cite the PRA statute or other legal provisions. Requests for documents will not be rejected due to technicalities.
e. Requestor’s privacy rights
State law permits the requestor to keep his or her identification, contact information and any organizational affiliation private. CSD will ask the requestor to provide this information as a courtesy, however, to facilitate communication with the requestor in response to the request.
f. The PRA Officer will assist the requestor to make a focused and effective request
Example: The requestor states, “I’d like information about the amount of money CSD is giving out in grants this year.” The PRA Officer would then work with the requestor to clarify which type of grants, and whether the requestor seeks a grand total or by grantee. The goal is to provide the requestor with information that is as relevant to his or her specific needs as possible.
How CSD Will Complete Requests for Public Records
a. Determination of duplication costs
Records that can reasonably be provided in electronic format are provided to the requestor free of charge. Alternatively, a requestor may either view the relevant documents in CSD’s office or may request hard copies after payment of duplication costs. If the requestor has asked for copies, the PRA Officer will calculate such costs within the limits of the PRA and notify the requestor of the amount. For standard-sized documents, CSD will charge ten cents per black-and-white page. CSD will provide a quote for color and oversized documents. CSD will begin preparing the materials upon receipt of payment.
b. All requests will be handled in a timely manner
The PRA requires public agencies to initially respond to a request for records within ten calendar days(this time limit may be extended by 14 days in certain circ*mstances). CSD will inform the requestor of the status of the request within ten days, and further inform the requestor of an estimated timeframe for completion.
