In Florida, every person has been granted the Constitutional right to inspect or copy any public record with some exemptions, and the Sunshine Law provides a right of access to government proceedings at both the state and local levels. These essential laws afford citizens of our state the ability to see behind the curtain of government and remain involved in the processes that affect their lives. Without this access there is little accountability, and accountability is vital for good government.

• About the Sunshine Law and Public Records Law
• Frequently Asked Questions About Florida's Open Government Laws
• View and Search Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual
• Download an abridged version of the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual
• How to obtain a published copy of Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual

The Attorney General's Office plays a key role in keeping Florida's government open to all Floridians. The office is charged with mediating disputes involving access to public records and provides a mediation program to that effect - a resource which can be requested by any member of the public and was put into action more than 75 times in 2007. The mediation program involves an impartial individual who encourages and facilitates the resolution of a dispute involving access to public records. The mediators assist the participants in fostering joint problem-solving and exploring settlement alternatives. By allowing parties to resolve issues in an informal mediation process, we prevent expensive and time-consuming litigation which is often not an option for a citizen who is merely trying to hold his or her government accountable and responsible for its actions.

• Members of local government entities or law enforcement agencies seeking to resolve public records issues may contact the Attorney General's Office at 850-245-0157.
• Consumers seeking mediation may contact the Attorney General's Office at 850-245-0204.
• More information about the Attorney General's Open Government Mediation Program
• Public Records Law Guide for Law Enforcement Agencies
• Request Public Records from the Attorney General's Office
• Anyone seeking public records may also call 850-245-0140.

Attorney General McCollum has also launched the Government Accountability Project (GAP) whose objective is to encourage state and local government entities to be proactive in providing Florida's citizens the information and records they need to hold government accountable. The first phase of the GAP study involved a content analysis of the web sites of the 67 counties and school districts in Florida to determine the types of public records currently available online. Phase Two, now underway, includes collaborating with local government entities to increase access to records not readily available, and exploring new technologies to reach out to the people of Florida to find out what they want their government to have available to them.

Learn more about the Government Accountability Project here.

• First Amendment Foundation
• Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
• Governor's Office of Open Government
• Florida Statutes - Chapter 119
• Florida Statutes - Chapter 286