Know your Rights & Responsibilities to Public Information


You have the right to:

  • Prompt access to information that is not confidential or otherwise protected (You may review it promptly, and if it cannot be produced within 10 working days the public information officer will notify you in writing of the reasonable date and time when it will be available);
  • Receive treatment equal to all other requestors, including accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements;
  • Receive certain kinds of information without exceptions;
  • Receive a written statement of estimated charges, when charges will exceed $40, in advance of work being started and opportunity to modify the request in response to the itemized statement;
  • Choose whether to inspect the requested information (most often at no charge), receive copies of the information or both;
  • A waiver or reduction of charges if LifePath Systems determines that access to the information primarily benefits the general public;
  • Receive a copy of the communication from LifePath Systems asking the Office of the Attorney General for a ruling on whether the information can be withheld under one of the accepted exceptions, or if the communication discloses the requested information, a redacted copy;
  • Lodge a written complaint about overcharges for public information with the Texas Building and Procurement Commission.  Complaints of other possible violations may be filed with Collin County or the Collin County district attorney.  If the complaint is against the county or district attorney, the complaint must be filed with the Office of the Attorney General.

You have the responsibility to:

  • Keep all appointments to inspect records and to pick up copies.  Failure to keep appointments may result in losing the opportunity to inspect the information at the time requested.
  • You must respond to any written estimate of charges within 10 business days of the date LifePath Systems sent it or the request is considered automatically withdrawn.
  • If estimated costs exceed $100, LifePath Systems may require a bond, prepayment or deposit.
  • You may ask LifePath Systems to determine whether providing the information primarily benefits the general public, resulting in a waiver or reduction of charges.
  • Make a timely payment for all mutually agreed charges. LifePath Systems can demand payment of overdue balances exceeding $100​, or obtain a security deposit, before processing additional requests from you.

Information that may be withheld due to an exception:

  • By the 10th business day after LifePath Systems receives your written request, LifePath Systems will:
  1. request an Attorney General opinion and state which exceptions apply;
  2. notify the requestor of the referral to the Attorney General; and
  3. notify third parties if the request involves their proprietary information.
  • Failure to request an Attorney General opinion and notify the requestor within 10 business days will result in a presumption that the information is open unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it.
  • Requestors may send a letter to the Attorney General arguing for release, and may review arguments made by LifePath Systems.   If the arguments disclose the requested information, the requestor may obtain a redacted copy.
  • The Attorney General must issue a decision no later than the 45th working day from the day after the attorney general received the request for a decision.  The attorney general may request an additional 10 working day extension.
  • LifePath Systems may not ask the Attorney General to “reconsider” an opinion.