Bill Text: VA SB1554 | 2019 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); violations and civil penalties.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-04-03 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0843) [SB1554 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-SB1554-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §2.2-3714 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§2.2-3714. Violations and penalties.
A. In a proceeding commenced against any officer,
employee, or member of a public body under §2.2-3713 for a violation of §
2.2-3704, 2.2-3705.1 through 2.2-3705.7, 2.2-3706, 2.2-3707, 2.2-3708.2,
2.2-3710, 2.2-3711 or 2.2-3712, the court, if it finds that a violation was
willfully and knowingly made, shall impose upon such officer, employee, or
member in his individual capacity, whether a writ of mandamus or injunctive
relief is awarded or not, a civil penalty of not less than $500 nor more than
$2,000, which amount shall be paid into the State Literary Fund. For a
second or subsequent violation, such civil penalty shall be not less than $2,000
nor more than $5,000.
B. In addition to any penalties imposed pursuant to subsection A, if the court finds that any officer, employee, or member of a public body failed to provide public records to a requester in accordance with the provisions of this chapter because such officer, employee, or member altered or destroyed the requested public records with the intent to avoid the provisions of this chapter with respect to such request prior to the expiration of the applicable record retention period set by the retention regulations promulgated pursuant to the Virginia Public Records Act (§42.1-76 et seq.) by the State Library Board, the court may impose upon such officer, employee, or member in his individual capacity, whether or not a writ of mandamus or injunctive relief is awarded, a civil penalty of up to $100 per record altered or destroyed, which amount shall be paid into the Literary Fund.
C. In addition to any penalties imposed pursuant to subsections A and B, if the court finds that a public body voted to certify a closed meeting in accordance with subsection D of §2.2-3712 and such certification was not in accordance with the requirements of clause (i) or (ii) of subsection D of §2.2-3712, the court may impose on the public body, whether or not a writ of mandamus or injunctive relief is awarded, a civil penalty of up to $1,000, which amount shall be paid into the Literary Fund. In determining whether a civil penalty is appropriate, the court shall consider mitigating factors, including reliance of members of the public body on (i) opinions of the Attorney General, (ii) court cases substantially supporting the rationale of the public body, and (iii) published opinions of the Freedom of Information Advisory Council.
