The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 through 15.246. The FOIA took effect April 13, 1977. The current version of the statute can be obtained from the Michigan Legislature’s website and on the Attorney General’s website. What is the FOIA’s purpose? It is the public policy of this state that “all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees, consistent with this act. The people shall be informed so that they may fully participate in the democratic process.”1 To that end, the FOIA regulates and sets requirements for the disclosure of certain public records of certain public bodies in the executive branch of government, including all state agencies, county governments, local governments, and public colleges and universities, as well as, school boards and other boards, commissions, and councils. It provides the mechanism through which the people may examine and review the records about the workings of government and its officials.