Under the laws of the State of New York, you may request copies of various records created by the SCA. Like other government agencies, the SCA developed rules for a prompt response to such requests. They may be found in the New York Code, Rules and Regulations under Title 21, Part 9607. The most important portions of those rules appear here.
The SCA's Record Access Officer, Michael Szabaga, who is also the Corporate Secretary, maintains a current list, by subject matter, of all records, and will make the list available for public inspection and copying in accordance with these rules. His telephone number is (718) 472-8302.
The Vice President and General Counsel, Ross J. Holden, Esq., receives and reviews all appeals. His telephone number is (718) 472-8220.
The SCA maintains offices for both officials at the main office, identified in the next section.
You must first submit a request to inspect and/or copy records of the SCA to the Records Access Officer at the main office of the SCA: 30-30 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101.
Each request must be made in writing and reasonably describe the records sought. Whenever possible, the person requesting the records should supply as much descriptive information as possible, including dates, titles, authors, and recipients of the documents.
The SCA makes its records available for inspection and/or copying during regular business hours at the location or locations within the SCA's facilities designated by the records manager. Such records may not be removed from the office. Arrangements may be made for obtaining copies of such records.
Within five (5) business days after receipt of a written request for records and to the extent permitted by law, the SCA shall provide access to the records sought. However, if more than five (5) days are required to respond to a request, the SCA will acknowledge receipt of the request within five (5) business days after the request is received. The acknowledgement will provide an estimate for the date by which a reply will be made.
Under certain circumstances, the laws of the State of New York prohibit the SCA from disclosing records. Disclosure may constitute an impermissible invasion of privacy. Other exceptions cover public bidding matters, trade secrets, law enforcement matters, and the like. In the event a record may not be revealed, the SCA will issue a written denial of access setting forth the reasons for that determination.
If the SCA cannot locate the requested records, the records manager shall certify that the SCA is not the custodian or that the SCA is the custodian, but that the records cannot be found after diligent search.
Upon request, the records manager shall certify that the document provided is an exact copy of the document on file.
Any person or entity denied access to any record may, within thirty (30) days of such denial, appeal the denial in writing to the Vice President and General Counsel of the SCA at: 30-30 Thomson Avenue, 4th Floor, Long Island City, New York 11101.
The time for deciding an appeal begins upon receipt of a written appeal identifying:
(1) the date of the request for records; (2) a description of the records that were denied; and (3) the name and the return address of the applicant.
The Vice President and General Counsel shall review the matter and may affirm, modify or reverse the denial.
It is the policy of the SCA to provide routine information to permit public inspection of records without charge. Fees may be charged:
(1) for reproduction, duplication, or copying of records; and (2) where a fee is otherwise prescribed by law.
Records will be photocopied by the SCA if practicable. The person requesting a copy will be charged a fee of twenty-five (25¢) cents per page for copies not exceeding 9 x 14 inches or the actual cost of reproducing such records if larger copies are required. If it is not practicable for the SCA to photocopy any such record, the record will be copied commercially and the person requesting the copy will be charged a fee equal to the cost of such commercial reproduction.
The fee for a computer printout is fifty (50¢) cents per page.
The fee for the transcription of any minutes or other untyped information shall be computed at the rate of five ($5.00) dollars per hour; or at the cost to the SCA.
Any fee charged in relation to these services must be paid by the person making the request, by check, money order or cash, in advance of the delivery of any record.
The SCA will not create any record by compiling selected items from other records, nor will it create records to provide the requesting party with data such as ratios, proportions, percentages, frequency distributions, trends, correlations or comparisons.