§45-30-240.72. Maintenance of records; public access.

(a) As used in this section public officer means the Tax Assessor and the Revenue Commissioner of Franklin County.

(b) Every public officer having custody of any public writing, record, or document, including, but not limited to, property record cards and work cards, shall permit any person to inspect and have direct access to any public writing, record, or document, as required by law.

(c)(1) During the hours the Franklin County Courthouse is open, an employee in the office of the tax assessor or the revenue commissioner shall be assigned to the room where property record cards and work cards are stored. In addition to his or her regular responsibilities, the employee shall have the responsibility to make certain that the public has direct access to the property record cards or work cards, or both. The responsibilities of the employee shall also include preserving and protecting the property record cards and work cards.

(2) In no case shall the property record cards or work cards, or both, be allowed to leave the room where they are stored, except under the direct supervision of the tax assessor, revenue commissioner, or his or her designee.

(3) A register shall be maintained by the employee assigned to the room where the property record cards and work cards are stored. The register, as a minimum, shall include the following:

a. Visitors who enter the room where the property record cards and work cards are stored shall sign in.

b. The property record cards and work cards reviewed during the visit shall be listed on the register. This register shall be kept confidential by the tax assessor or revenue commissioner, as to not violate client confidentiality.

c. The visitor shall sign out as he or she exits the room where the property record cards and work cards are stored.

d. The employee shall sign the register showing that the property record cards and work cards have been returned by the visitor.

(4) Absolutely no money shall be kept in the room where the property record cards and work cards are stored.

(5) This section shall be in effect during the hours in which the Franklin County Courthouse is open to the public.

(d) It is the responsibility of the tax assessor to keep property record cards and work cards updated.

(Act 93-527, p. 864, §§1-4.)