Freedom of Information Act Handbook

Table of Contents:

• Policy
• Fees
• Exemptions for Withholding Records Under the FOIA
• Appeals
• The United States Mint Electronic Reading Room
• Information Available to the Public
• Examples of FOIA Correspondence
• Reference Materials

Introduction

On October 2, 1996, the President signed into law the "Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996" (Public Law 104-231).  P.L. 104-231, which amends the Freedom of Information Act (Title 5 of the United States Code, Section 552), requires each agency to make available electronically (i.e., via computer telecommunications) those records required to be available for inspection and copying which have been created on or after November 1, 1996, within one year of their creation.  The exact format of the requested records is to be determined by the requestor providing that the requested format is readily reproducible in that chosen form by the agency.  Reasonable effort must be used by the agency to comply with the request.

P.L. 104-231 further requires each agency to make available to the Public reference material or a guide for requesting records or information from the agency.  The United States Mint Freedom of Information Act Handbook was developed per the requirements of this statute.

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Apr 19, 2006
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