The House Judiciary Committee unanimously reported House Bill 1934, a measure that would add a definition of “right to access” to the Commonwealth Attorneys Act to clarify that the right to access books and papers under Section 208 does not include access for the purpose of satisfying defendants’ discovery requests in a civil action unless the agency is an actual party to the action and represented by the Office of Attorney General.

Committee counsel summarized the bill as an amendment to the Commonwealth Attorneys Act “by adding a definition for right to access” and said the bill takes effect immediately. Chairman Briggs said he was comfortable moving the measure after consulting with the Office of Attorney General and caucus counsel.

There was no recorded opposition in committee. The chair declared the bill passed by unanimous vote and indicated it would be reported as committed to the next stage of consideration.

The committee did not debate technical drafting details during the hearing; counsel said the language came from work with the Office of Attorney General and general counsel staff across caucuses.