Senate Bill 205 Summary

• Establishes an education fund to support training programs for public officials and public education on public access laws and rights, funded by civil penalties and legislative appropriations.

• Authorizes the public access counselor to assess civil penalties of up to $1,000 against public agencies that knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly deny public records requests, charge excessive copying fees, or improperly disclose confidential information.

• Grants the public access counselor power to issue administrative subpoenas to compel production of public records that have been wrongfully withheld, enforceable by circuit or superior court.

• Requires civil penalties collected to be deposited into the education fund rather than the state general fund, with fund money remaining available indefinitely for authorized purposes.

• Public officials and employees are not personally liable for civil penalties imposed under this law; penalties are paid from the public agency's budget.

• Effective July 1, 2010.