FL H0273

Public agency contracts for services entered into or amended on or after July 1, 2016, must include a statement with the custodian of public records' contact information in at least 14-point boldfaced type.

Contractors must comply with public records laws by maintaining records, providing copies upon request within a reasonable time, protecting exempt records, and transferring all records to the public agency at no cost upon contract completion.

Public records requests relating to agency contracts must be directed to the public agency, which immediately notifies the contractor if it does not possess the requested records; the contractor must then provide records within a reasonable time.

A contractor who unlawfully refuses to provide public records is subject to penalties under section 119.10, and courts must award reasonable enforcement costs and attorney fees if the contractor fails to comply within a reasonable time and was given at least 8 business days' written notice.

A contractor who complies with a public records request within 8 business days after notice is sent is not liable for reasonable costs of enforcement.