(a) An electronic record shall have the same force and effect as those records not produced by electronic means.

(b) Electronic records shall be considered and treated as any other records for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Law as set forth in article 6 of the Public Officers Law.

(c) Electronic records shall be considered and treated as any other records for the purposes of disclosure of those records as set forth in article 6-A of the Public Officers Law.

(d) Electronic records, electronically stored and reproduced copies of records, and electronic signatures, shall be admissible into evidence under the same rules as those records and signatures not produced or stored and reproduced, by electronic means.

(e) Nothing in this Part shall require any entity or person to use an electronic record or an electronic signature unless otherwise provided by law or as required by the system.