California Public Records Act

Public records include any written information that is prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency (such as a county, city, or school district) and is related to the conduct of public business, regardless of the physical form or characteristics of the public business. Public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency. Every person has the right to inspect any public record and obtain a copy for a fee unless, pursuant to specific statutory standards, it must be kept confidential. Agency regulations may be adopted stating the procedures to be followed when making records available. (As defined by the California Department of Education)