The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

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1.  The purpose of this chapter is to foster democratic principles by providing members of the public with prompt access to inspect, copy or receive a copy of public books and records to the extent permitted by law;

2.  The provisions of this chapter must be construed liberally to carry out this important purpose;

3.  Any exemption, exception or balancing of interests which limits or restricts access to public books and records by members of the public must be construed narrowly;

4.  The use of private entities in the provision of public services must not deprive members of the public access to inspect, copy or receive a copy of books and records relating to the provision of those services; and

5.  If a public book or record is declared by law to be open to the public, such a declaration does not imply, and must not be construed to mean, that a public book or record is confidential if it is not declared by law to be open to the public and is not otherwise declared by law to be confidential.