Sec. 10. The counselor has the following powers and duties:
(1) To establish and administer a program to train public officials and educate the public on the rights of the public and the responsibilities of public agencies under the public access laws. The counselor may contract with a person or a public or private entity to fulfill the counselor's responsibility under this subdivision.
(2) To conduct research.
(3) To prepare interpretive and educational materials and programs in cooperation with the office of the attorney general.
(4) To distribute to newly elected or appointed public officials the public access laws and educational materials concerning the public access laws.
(5) To respond to informal inquiries made by the public and public agencies by telephone, in writing, in person, by facsimile, or by electronic mail concerning the public access laws.
(6) To issue advisory opinions to interpret the public access laws upon the request of a person or a public agency. However, the counselor may not issue an advisory opinion concerning a specific matter with respect to which a lawsuit has been filed under IC 5-14-1.5 or IC 5-14-3.
(7) To make recommendations to the general assembly concerning ways to improve public access.
As added by P.L.70-1999, SEC.4 and P.L.191-1999, SEC.4.
Structure Indiana Code
Title 5. State and Local Administration
Article 14. Public Records and Public Meetings
Chapter 4. Public Access Counselor
5-14-4-3. "Public Access Laws" Defined
5-14-4-4. "Public Agency" Defined
5-14-4-5. Establishment of Office
5-14-4-9. Requirements for Position
5-14-4-11. Additional Personnel
5-14-4-12. Annual Report by Counselor