Indiana lawmakers consider fines on access violators

From Chicago Tribune:

INDIANAPOLIS — Government officials could face fines of up to $500 for blatantly violating Indiana's public access laws under a proposal that would impose personal penalties for such actions for the first time since the laws were adopted 35 years ago.

Indiana House and Senate committees are considering similar bills that include allowing judges to order such fines, a move that supporters say would give more teeth to the state's open records and open meetings laws.