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Township adopts open-records change to require identification for anonymous/AI requests
Summary
Supervisors adopted a resolution amending the open-records policy to require requesters to identify themselves when submitting requests after a rise in anonymous or AI-generated requests; the policy will include guidance for contact information and U.S. residency.
Williams Township supervisors adopted a resolution on June 10 amending the township's open-records policy to address anonymous or AI-generated right-to-know requests. Solicitor Jonathan explained that the state open-records office and related guidance allow municipalities to decline requests when the requester is anonymous; the proposed policy requires requesters to identify themselves and provide contact information (mailing or email address) and notes the requester must be located within the United States for processing.
The board moved and seconded adoption of the resolution and discussed form fields and residency checks; the motion passed by voice vote. The solicitor said he would provide additional language and information for the township website if the board adopted the policy.
Why it matters: the change is intended to prevent anonymous, potentially AI-generated requests from consuming staff time and public resources and to align the township's practice with state guidance on handling unidentified requesters.
What happens next: the solicitor will supply supplemental language for the township website and finalize the resolution text for the record.
