SB 371 Summary

• Establishes an education fund to support training programs for public officials and public education on public access rights and agency responsibilities under public access laws.

• Authorizes the public access counselor to assess civil penalties against public agencies for knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly denying public records requests, charging excessive copying fees, or mishandling confidential information ($100 for first violation, up to $500 for each additional violation).

• Requires all civil penalties collected to be deposited into the education fund, with penalties paid from the public agency's budget rather than imposed on individual officials or employees.

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

• Effective July 1, 2011.