The New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A) ensures public access to the actions, discussions, and records of public bodies, promoting accountability and transparency. Public meetings must be open and properly posted in advance, including details on time, location, and topics to be discussed, allowing public attendance. A “meeting” involves a quorum of a public body convening—whether in person or virtually—to discuss or act on public business, including work sessions. However, social gatherings, collective bargaining strategies, and legal consultations are not considered meetings under this law.
If you are requesting information from the Center Harbor Police Department, click here.
Governmental Records Available for Request
The term “governmental records” means any information created, accepted, or obtained on behalf of, any public body, or a quorum of the majority thereof, or any public agency in furtherance of its official function. Without limiting the foregoing, the term “governmental records” includes any written communications or other information, whether in paper, electronic, or other physical form, received by a quorum or majority of a public body in furtherance of its official function, whether at a meeting or outside a meeting of the body.” The term “governmental records” shall also include the term “public records.” (RSA 91-A:1-a, III)
Not all governmental records are covered under RSA 91-A. Some common exemptions are:
- Records pertaining to internal personnel practices
- Confidential, commercial, or financial information and any other records whose disclosure would be an invasion of privacy
- Medical, welfare, library user and videotape sales or rental records,
- Notes or materials made for personal use that do not have an official purpose, including notes and materials made prior to, during, or after a public proceeding,
- Preliminary drafts, notes and memoranda, and other documents not in their final form and not disclosed, circulated, or available to a quorum of a public body,
- written legal advice.
For a full list of exemptions, refer to RSA 91-A:5
To request information from the Town of Center Harbor under the Right to Know law, click here.
Applicable Fees
If a copy of a governmental record is requested in paper format or transferred to a USB drive, fees may apply.