Final answer:
Medical records for government employees are a type of document exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. This exemption is one of nine provided by the act to protect personal privacy among other concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of a type of document that is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) are medical records for government employees. These records are protected under one of the nine exemptions listed in the FOIA, which is designed to protect personal privacy. Other exemptions include materials related to national security, trade secrets, law enforcement information, and sensitive internal personnel rules among others.
The FOIA, passed in 1966 and signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, enhances transparency within the executive branch of the U.S. Government. It allows citizens to request information from various federal agencies unless it falls under certain exemptions that protect against the release of sensitive information. This legal framework serves both to keep the public informed and to safeguard crucial interests.