On January 8, 2002, the Legislature passed and the Acting Governor approved P.L. 2001, c. 404, known as the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), which enacted changes in the law concerning public access to government records. The law will be effective July 7, 2002. This law expands the public’s right of access to government records and facilitates the way in which that access is provided by the custodian of those records. Prior to submitting a request, it is recommended that you first take advantage of the records resources the Department of Health and Senior Services currently offers on its web site at www.nj.gov/health/.