FOIA
Government & Politics abbreviation · US Law
| Stands for | Freedom of Information Act |
|---|---|
| Categories | Government & Politics |
FOIA stands for Freedom of Information Act, a US law abbreviation.
Law that gives anyone the right to request records from federal executive-branch agencies, which must release them unless they fall under one of nine exemptions, such as classified information, personal privacy or law enforcement investigations. Agencies are generally supposed to respond within 20 business days.
Example: The reporter obtained the inspection reports through a FOIA request.
Usage notes
President Lyndon Johnson signed it on July 4, 1966, and it took effect in 1967. It does not apply to Congress, the federal courts or the White House offices that only advise the President. States have their own public records laws, sometimes also called FOI laws. The acronym is pronounced "FOY-uh".
Related abbreviations
More US law abbreviations
- FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- FFCRA – Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- FHA – Fair Housing Act
- FISA – Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
- FLSA – Fair Labor Standards Act
- FMLA – Family and Medical Leave Act
- GCA – Gun Control Act of 1968
- GENIUS Act – Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act
- GINA – Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
- GLBA – Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
- HAVA – Help America Vote Act
- HEA – Higher Education Act of 1965