Names, birth dates in Pa. contracts ruled public records

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania's Office of Open Records says the names of employees of government contractors and the birth dates of government employees are public records.

The new agency said in its first batch of rulings that the names and dates of birth aren't covered by the many exceptions to the state Right-to-Know Law.

The Quakertown Community School District had granted a request to release payroll forms for a subcontractor working on a school renovation project, but redacted the employees' names.

The district's right-to-know officer said it will comply with the ruling and doesn't plan to appeal.

In Pittsburgh, WTAE-TV requested a copy of the payroll at the Port Authority of Allegheny County. the authority provided all the information except employees' birth dates.    -AP