SB 685
Creating Non-Profit Transparency and Accountability Act
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, the Non-Profit Transparency and Accountability Act, would require West Virginia nonprofit organizations that receive public funds – either state or federal – to comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and respond to them in the same manner as public bodies. The bill establishes a new article in the West Virginia Code to address this transparency requirement and includes legislative findings emphasizing the importance of public trust and oversight of nonprofit organizations’ use of public funds. It also mandates enrollment in ‘Open Checkbooks’ for these organizations.
Key provisions
- Nonprofit organizations receiving public funds must comply with Freedom of Information Act requests.
- These organizations must respond to FOIA requests under the same standards as public bodies.
- The bill establishes a new article in the West Virginia Code dedicated to nonprofit transparency.
- Legislative findings emphasize public trust and oversight of nonprofit finances.
- Nonprofits must enroll in a system called ‘Open Checkbooks’.
Who is affected
- Nonprofit organizations
- West Virginia state government
- Federal government (as public funds are involved)
- Donors to nonprofit organizations
- Taxpayers
Notable changes
- Currently, nonprofits receiving public funds are not subject to the same FOIA requirements as public bodies.
- This bill introduces a new legal framework for transparency and accountability for these organizations.
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