A bill in Connecticut would allow agencies to ignore threatening or harassing public record requests for up to three years. Senate Bill 466, titled “An Act Concerning Vexatious Requesters Under the Freedom of Information Act, passed out of committee a few weeks ago (on a 13-6 vote).

Current law allows agencies to petition to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission to label a requester as vexatious, and if the commission agrees, can ignore the person for up to one year. Proponents say the legislation is needed because of increasing requests – in part generated through artificial intelligence, they say.

The bill also allows the commission to consider harassing or threatening behavior targeted at the agency, even if it has nothing to do with the request. Connecticut is the first state to empower an independent agency the authority to label requesters vexatious and allow officials to ignore their requests.

This spring has seen dozens of bills proposed throughout the nation regarding vexatious requests, particularly in regard to artificial intelligence, including in Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Posted: April 7, 2026
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner Freedom of Information Project, Government Transparency, Secrecy Tracker