A new law requiring elected officials to receive training in public access to information goes into effect Tuesday, July 1.

The law requires officials - from dog catchers to selectmen to the governor - to review the frequently asked questions on the state's Web site about the Freedom of Access Act, which governs public information and proceedings.

FOAA and its federal counterpart, the Freedom of Information Act, seeks to ensure the transparency of government by clearly outlining what constitutes public information.

Elected officials currently serving will have until Nov. 1 to complete the training. All those elected after July 1 must complete training within 120 days of taking their oath of office.

Judy Meyer, a member of the state's Right to Know Advisory Committee and chairwoman of its Education and Training Subcommittee, said the FOAA training mandate will force elected officials to become familiar with laws that ensure governmental transparency, also known as Sunshine Laws.

Meyer, dayside managing editor for the Sun Journal, said the FOAA frequently asked questions summary provides specific examples of what type of information can be requested and how an elected official must respond.

"It gives people opportunities to actually think about what their response ought to be," she said.

Elected officials will have to certify their training by filing a document with their municipality. Certification adds a layer of public accountability, Meyer said, since the public will be able to inspect those certifications.

"The penalty here is public opinion," said Meyer. "It's not designed to be punitive; it's designed to be instructive."

Meyer said the Right to Know Advisory Committee, which prompted and promoted the legislation, advocated a collaborative model for FOAA training. However, if public officials do not take the law seriously, she said the committee could rethink that approach.

"Then we might look at additional penalties," Meyer said. "But right now it's really designed to be helpful and instructive."