Do individuals have a special
right, in addition to their rights under the public records law, to
inspect public records containing information about themselves?
Yes. Any individual or person authorized
by an individual has a right to inspect any record containing
“personally identifiable information pertaining to the individual”
maintained by an authority. Wis. Stat. sec. 19.35(1)(am). This right is
in addition to the right of citizens to examine public records under
sec. 19.35(1)(a), Stats.
However, the special right of a requester
under sec. 19.35(1)(am) to inspect or copy records containing
personally identifiable information about the requester does not apply
to the following:
a. Any record collected or maintained in
connection with the complaint, investigation or other circumstances that
may lead to an enforcement action, administrative proceeding,
arbitration proceeding, or court proceeding, or any record collected or
maintained in connection with such action or proceeding. Sec.
19.35(1)(am)1., Stats.
b. Any record that, if disclosed, would
endanger an individual's life or safety; identify a confidential
informant; endanger the security of any state correctional institutions
or the populations or staff of those institutions; or compromise the
rehabilitation of any person in the custody of the department of
corrections or detained in a jail. Sec. 19.35(1)(am)2., Stats.