MI HB4468

Modifies the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to clarify when written requests sent by facsimile, email, or other electronic transmission are considered received by a public body, with electronic requests not received until 1 business day after transmission.

Establishes that if an electronic mail request is delivered to a public body's spam or junk-mail folder, the request is not considered received until 1 day after the public body becomes aware of it, and requires the public body to note both delivery and discovery times in its records.

Clarifies that failure to respond to a FOIA request within 5 business days constitutes a denial if the failure was willful and intentional, or if the request clearly indicated it was a FOIA request through specific language, keywords, or legal code references within the first 250 words or in subject lines.

Maintains existing requirements that public bodies must respond to FOIA requests by granting, denying, partially granting/denying, or extending the response period by not more than 10 business days.

Takes effect immediately upon approval (March 3, 2020).