Permits assessment of fees and costs for wrongful denial of records under freedom of information law.

The bill amends the public officers law to allow the court to assess reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs against an agency involved in cases where a person has substantially prevailed or if the agency failed to respond within the statutory time. This applies when the court finds that the agency had no reasonable basis for denying access. The changes do not affect any existing rights or remedies under the civil practice law and rules.

Permits assessment of fees and costs for wrongful denial of records under freedom of information law.

The bill amends the public officers law to allow the court to assess reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs against an agency involved in cases where a person has substantially prevailed or if the agency failed to respond within the statutory time. This applies when the court finds that the agency had no reasonable basis for denying access. The changes do not affect any existing rights or remedies under the civil practice law and rules.