Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 551.146. Disclosure of Certified Agenda or Recording of Closed Meeting; Offense; Penalty; Civil Liability
Current as of April 14, 2021 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
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(a) An individual, corporation, or partnership that without lawful authority knowingly discloses to a member of the public the certified agenda or recording of a meeting that was lawfully closed to the public under this chapter:
(1) commits an offense; and
(2) is liable to a person injured or damaged by the disclosure for:
(A) actual damages, including damages for personal injury or damage, lost wages, defamation, or mental or other emotional distress;
(B) reasonable attorney fees and court costs; and
(C) at the discretion of the trier of fact, exemplary damages.
(b) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a Class B misdemeanor.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(1) and an affirmative defense to a civil action under Subsection (a)(2) that:
(1) the defendant had good reason to believe the disclosure was lawful; or
(2) the disclosure was the result of a mistake of fact concerning the nature or content of the certified agenda or recording.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 551.146. Disclosure of Certified Agenda or Recording of Closed Meeting; Offense; Penalty; Civil Liability - last updated April 14, 2021 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/government-code/gov-t-sect-551-146.html
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