FL H0857

Amends Section 119.12, Florida Statutes, to allow courts to hold custodians of public records personally liable for reasonable enforcement costs, including attorney fees, in civil actions under Chapter 119

Personal liability applies when the custodian unlawfully refused to permit inspection or copying of a public record AND asserted claims or defenses they knew were not supported by material facts

Maintains existing law requiring courts to award reasonable enforcement costs and attorney fees against agencies that unlawfully refuse public records access

Courts may impose personal liability on motion by the filing party or at the court's own discretion

Effective date: July 1, 2016