The definitions set forth in chapter 42.56 RCW shall apply to
this chapter. The following definitions also apply to this chapter.
"Authorization" means a detailed document that gives the
department permission to use or disclose confidential information records for
specified purposes.
"Client" means a person who receives services or benefits from
the department.
"Department" means the department of children, youth, and
families. Where appropriate, "department" also may refer to the officials and
employees of the department of children, youth, and families.
"Disclosure" means inspection or copying of public records,
unless the record is exempt from disclosure by law.
"Public records" includes any writing, as defined in
RCW
42.56.010, containing information relating to
the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary
function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency
regardless of physical form or characteristics. Almost all records held by an
agency relate to the conduct of government; however, some do not. A purely
personal record having no relation to the conduct of government is not a
"public record." While the contents of the personal record might not be a
public record, a transaction of the record itself may be.
"Public records officer" or "PRO" means the designated person
for the department who oversees all records requests under
RCW
42.56.580. This person is identified in the
Washington state register.
"Redact" means to edit from a released record information that
is exempt from disclosure to the public, by covering over the information with
black ink or other method without deleting the information from the original
record.
