DE HB72

Removes the broad exemption that University of Delaware and Delaware State University currently receive under the Freedom of Information Act, making them subject to public records disclosure requirements.

Adds specific exemptions for public universities: confidential letters and statements of recommendation related to admission, employment applications or promotions, and honors or recognition would not be public records.

Protects proprietary information of a non-financial nature produced by faculty or staff of public higher education institutions in the conduct of research or study on medical, scientific, technical or scholarly issues, if not publicly released, published, copyrighted or patented.

Exempts certain university fundraising-related information from disclosure, including personal fundraising strategies, wealth assessments, and personal identifying information of donors or prospective donors, while still requiring disclosure of donation amounts, dates, purposes, terms, and donor identity unless anonymity was requested.

Preserves existing federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) exemptions for personally identifiable student information.