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(1) Requestors are encouraged to communicate with the public records officer regarding denials of public records requests.
(2) Petition for internal administrative review. Any person who objects to the denial or partial denial of a request for a public record may petition for prompt review of such decision by submitting a written request for review to the public records officer at any of the methods of contact provided in this chapter. The written petition must specifically include the office-assigned request number and a copy of any written statement by the public records officer or other staff member which constituted or accompanied the denial.
(3) Consideration of petition for review. Immediately after receiving a written petition for review of a decision denying a public record, the public records officer or other staff member shall refer it to the state treasurer, or the treasurer's designee, who shall consider the matter and either affirm or reverse such denial. In any case, the petition shall be returned with a final decision within two business days following the receipt of the petition for review, or within such other time as the office and the requestor mutually agree.
(4) Review by the office of the attorney general. Pursuant to RCW 42.56.530, if the office denies a requestor access to a public record because it claims the record is exempt in whole or in part from disclosure, the requestor may request the office of the attorney general to review the matter. The attorney general has adopted a protocol for such requests in WAC 44-06-160.
(5) Judicial review. Requestors may obtain court review of denials of their public records requests pursuant to RCW 42.56.550.