AN ACT CONCERNING VEXATIOUS REQUESTERS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

This bill updates Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act by allowing public agencies to seek relief from individuals who make excessive or harassing requests for public records. It expands the definition of vexatious behavior to include threatening or harassing conduct that occurs outside of formal FOIA requests, such as intimidating actions at the agency's office. Under the new rules, agencies can petition a state commission to temporarily block future requests from identified problematic individuals, with relief periods of up to one year for first-time violations and up to three years for repeat offenses. The process requires agencies to submit sworn petitions detailing specific patterns of abuse, and the commission must review these cases, potentially holding hearings before issuing a decision that can be appealed in court.