The OPRA Handbook for Records Custodians has been prepared by the Government Records Council to help public agency records custodians understand the requirements of the State of New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.). While the handbook focuses on the needs of records custodians, we anticipate that it will also be a useful resource for requestors interested in obtaining access to government records. This handbook serves as a reference, but it does not serve as legal advice and is not a substitute for legal advice from public agency legal advisors. Records custodians should rely on agency legal advice on issues that could result in disputes, particularly those related to a denial of access to government records. Custodian's Handbook (Eighth Edition - Updated January 2025) ***New To The Eighth Edition*** This guide has been updated to reflect amendments made to OPRA through P.L. 2024, c.16, which went into effect on September 3, 2024. That legislation made several changes that impact longstanding processes and policies to include limitations on access, request filing and response requirements, and GRC operations.