Which entity is required to release information under the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States government. The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is specifically designated as a governmental entity that is subject to FOIA. This means that OLAW is required to comply with requests for information and documentation related to its activities and the oversight of animal research.

OLAW's role in overseeing compliance with the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals makes it a key player in the administration of animal welfare laws, thereby making it subject to FOIA. This law aims to promote transparency and accountability in government operations and allows the public to obtain information about federal agencies, which includes OLAW.

In contrast, AAALAC (the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care) is a private nonprofit organization that promotes humane treatment and care of animals in research but is not a governmental entity; thus, it is not required to release information under FOIA. IACUCs (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees) are institutional committees that review and approve animal research protocols; while they operate under regulations