New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA)

"Citizens in a democracy have a fundamental right to have access to public records. This right is recognized by the New Mexico Legislature through the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, NMSA 1978, §§ 14-2-1 et seq. (“IPRA”), and by the New Mexico Supreme Court, which stated in 1977 that a citizen’s right to know is the rule and secrecy is the exception…

IPRA provides that every person has a right to inspect the public records of this state, subject to certain exceptions. “Public records” are defined by IPRA as all documents and records, regardless of physical form, that are used, created, received, maintained or held by or on behalf of any public body and relate to public business, whether or not the records are required by law to be created or maintained.” - UNM Policy 2300, Inspection of Public Records

NOTE: Medical records are exempt for public inspection under IPRA and are governed by HIPAA.

At UNM, the public record custodian seeks the advice of the Office of University Counsel for any record request where the responsive documents contain materials that may be subject to an exception under the IPRA or any other state or federal law.

If you receive a request to inspect a public record (again, not a medical record), please provide that request immediately to the UNM public record custodian:

Anne Murray, Associate University Counsel
Special Advisor to the President and Provost
AMurray@salud.unm.edu
Scholes Hall Room 208, MSC05-3440, 277-5983

Related Links

2300 - Inspection of Public Records Policy
New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act - Compliance Guide
NMAG Publications
HIPAA