RCW 42.56.030 states that the Public Records Act "shall be liberally construed and its exemptions narrowly construed." The department will provide all records required by law. However, there are times when all or part of a record request may be denied, such as when:

1. (1) The record is exempt from disclosure by law.
2. (2) The request is for lists of individuals for commercial purposes, including family home providers.
3. (3) The requestor has not asked for an identifiable record. The Public Records Act requires access to existing, identifiable public records in an agency's possession at the time of the request.
4. (4) The request requires the department to collect or organize data to create a public record, or to give data that did not exist at the time of the public records request.

[WSR 18-14-078, recodified as § 110-01-0230, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.215.070 and chapter 42.56 RCW. WSR 18-13-009, § 170-01-0230, filed 6/6/18, effective 7/7/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.56.040, 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 12-09-035, § 170-01-0230, filed 4/11/12, effective 5/12/12.]