FOIA Update: The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. sect. 552, As...
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http://www.justice.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm
FOIA Update
Vol. XVII, No. 4
1996
Below is the full text of the Freedom of Information Act in a form showing all amendments to the statute
made by the E
" lectronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996."All newly enacted provisions
are in boldface type.
§ 552. Public information; agency rules, opinions, orders, records, and proceedings
(a) Each agency shall make available to the public information as follows:
(1) Each agency shall separately state and currently publish in the Federal Register for the
guidance of the public-(A) descriptions of its central and field organization and the established places at
which, the employees (and in the case of a uniformed service, the members) from
whom, and the methods whereby, the public may obtain information, make
submittals or requests, or obtain decisions;
(B) statements of the general course and method by which its functions are
channeled and determined, including the nature and requirements of all formal
and informal procedures available;
(C) rules of procedure, descriptions of forms available or the places at which
forms may be obtained, and instructions as to the scope and contents of all
papers, reports, or examinations;
(D) substantive rules of general applicability adopted as authorized by law, and
statements of general policy or interpretations of general applicability formulated
and adopted by the agency; and
(E) each amendment, revision, or repeal of the foregoing.
Except to the extent that a person has actual and timely notice of the terms thereof, a person may not in
any manner be required to resort to, or be adversely affected by, a matter required to be published in the
Federal Register and not so published. For the purpose of this paragraph, matter reasonably available to
the class of persons affected thereby is deemed published in the Federal Register when incorporated by
reference therein with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register.
(2) Each agency, in accordance with published rules, shall make available for public
inspection and copying-(A) final opinions, including concurring and dissenting opinions, as well as
orders, made in the adjudication of cases;
(B) those statements of policy and interpretations which have been adopted by
the agency and are not published in the Federal Register; and
(C) administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect a member of
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