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Public Records Administration

The Office of the Public Records Administrator [OPRA] is responsible for designing and implementing the Public Records Program for local government agencies and for state agencies within the executive department of government.

OPRA oversees the life cycle of public records; develops standards for record maintenance and preservation, including permanent papers and records stored in electronic format; publishes records retention schedules and provides records management guidelines. It publishes policies, general letters, guidelines and standards to keep state and local government agencies informed about current records management issues and requirements. By statute, the Public Records Administrator and State Archivist must approve the disposition of all public records.

In addition, OPRA provides records management guidelines for local government offices; publishes regulations regarding the construction of town record storage vaults and the creation of permanent land maps filed with town clerks; and conducts the annual examination of land record indexes. OPRA also administers grants to municipalities to enhance or improve the preservation and management of local historic documents through the Historic Documents Preservation Program.

Public libraries must follow the public records management guidelines including the records retention requirements. Please note that public records may not be destroyed without prior written approval of the Public Records Administrator using the records disposal authorization form referenced below.

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