Procedures for Public Records Requests
Beginning January 1, 2026, California’s regional centers are required to provide requested information as outlined in the California Public Records Act (CPRA).
Assembly Bill 1147 (Disability Equity and Accountability Act of 2024) further clarifies that, beginning January 1, 2026, regional centers are explicitly subject to the Public Records Act (Welf. & Inst. Code § 4639.76). AB 1147 was enacted to strengthen transparency, accountability, and oversight, and these procedures are in place to ensure that all record requests are handled efficiently and transparently.
Submitting a Public Records Request
All public records requests should be directed to RCEB’s Custodian of Records, who will coordinate the Center’s response. Members of the public should not enter nonpublic staff areas or submit requests directly to staff members who are not designated to handle public records.
RCEB encourages all requests to be submitted via NextRequest, a platform used by many California state and local agencies to manage public records requests. NextRequest streamlines the process by consolidating email correspondence, tracking progress, and delivering large files without overwhelming personal email accounts. Requests received after 5:00 p.m. will be processed on the next business day.
Accessing Responsive Records
If responsive records are identified, RCEB will hold them for five business days after notifying the requester, unless other arrangements have been made in advance. After this period, records will be returned to the appropriate files or storage.
Requestors will be notified as soon as copies are available. Payment will be required before any copies of the requested records are released.
Costs
Beginning January 1, 2026, California’s regional centers are required to provide requested information as outlined in the California Public Records Act (CPRA). The Regional Center of the East Bay charges for the direct cost of duplication of requested records produced under the CPRA as follows:
- Printed records: $0.10 per page
- Electronic records for documents, such as PDFs, the Regional Center of the East Bay electronically maintains:
- Free for electronic files delivered by email
- $5.00 for each CD or flash drive for requested electronic files
- Requesters will not be charged for the time collecting or processing records, but will be charged a computer programming time fee (for complex requests requiring special programming) at a rate of $20.00 per hour. This fee will also be charged if the requested record is produced only at otherwise regularly scheduled intervals.
Please note the following:
- The California Public Records Act does not require the Regional Center of the East Bay to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.
- The Regional Center of the East Bay will advise the requester of any anticipated cost of fulfilling their request before producing documents. The requester must pay in advance any fees that are $20 or more.
- As Privacy rules, such as HIPAA and Welfare and Institutions Code §4514, apply to requested records, released records will comply with the California Health and Human Services Data De-Identification Guidelines.