Sec. 3. 1 MRSA c. 13, sub-c. 1-A is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER 1-A

EXCEPTIONS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

§431.__Definitions

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Public records exception.__"Public records exception" or "exception" means a provision in a statute or a proposed statute that declares a record or a category of records to be confidential or otherwise not a public record for purposes of subchapter 1.

2.__Review committee.__"Review committee" means the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters.

§432.__Exceptions to public records; review

1.__Recommendations.__During the second regular session of each Legislature, the review committee shall report out legislation containing its recommendations concerning the repeal, modification and continuation of public records exceptions and any recommendations concerning the exception review process.

2.__Process of evaluation.__According to the schedule in section 434, the review committee shall evaluate each public records exception that is scheduled for review that biennium.__ The review committee shall use the following criteria to determine whether each exception scheduled for review should be repealed, modified or remain unchanged:

A.__Whether a record protected by the exception still needs to be collected and maintained;

B.__The value to the agency or official or to the public in maintaining a record protected by the exception;

C.__Whether federal law requires a record to be confidential;