CHAPTER 3. TECHNICAL AND COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

IC 13-28-3
     Chapter 3. Technical and Compliance Assistance Program

IC 13-28-3-1
Establishment
    
Sec. 1. The department shall establish a technical and compliance assistance program.
As added by P.L.1-1996, SEC.18.

IC 13-28-3-2
Purposes of program
    
Sec. 2. (a) The assistance program established under this chapter shall do the following:
        (1) Designate an individual to serve as a liaison and ombudsman to the regulated community to assist the regulated community with specific regulatory or permit matters pending with the department.
        (2) Provide assistance to new and existing businesses and small municipalities in identifying:
            (A) applicable environmental rules and regulations; and
            (B) permit requirements;
        that apply to new and existing businesses and small municipalities.
        (3) Develop and distribute educational materials regarding:
            (A) environmental requirements;
            (B) compliance methods;
            (C) voluntary environmental audits;
            (D) pollution control technologies; and
            (E) other compliance issues;
        including standardized forms and procedures for completing permit applications.
        (4) Provide public outreach and training sessions in cooperation with representatives of the business and municipal communities regarding existing and future state and federal environmental requirements.
        (5) Develop and operate a clearinghouse to respond to inquiries from businesses and municipalities concerning applicable environmental rules, regulations, and requirements.
        (6) Provide technical assistance concerning pollution control techniques to local and state governmental entities and businesses and distribute educational materials regarding pollution prevention developed by the pollution prevention division established by IC 13-27-2-1.
        (7) Provide administrative and technical support for the compliance advisory panel established by IC 13-13-7-2.
        (8) Conduct other activities as required to:
            (A) improve regulatory compliance; and
            (B) promote cooperation and assistance in meeting environmental requirements.
    (b) The assistance program may establish limited onsite assistance

to provide compliance information to a small business or small municipality, subject to the confidentiality provisions of section 4 of this chapter. The assistance program may use money from the environmental management special fund to implement this subsection. The assistance program may limit the number of inspections per year and restrict onsite assistance to specific programs.
As added by P.L.1-1996, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.12-2005, SEC.5.

IC 13-28-3-3
Annual report
    
Sec. 3. (a) The department shall prepare an annual report of the activities conducted under this chapter.
    (b) The annual report must include the following:
        (1) The number and types of inquiries the program received.
        (2) The services provided by the program.
    (c) The annual report shall be distributed to the following:
        (1) The governor.
        (2) The environmental quality service council.
As added by P.L.1-1996, SEC.18.

IC 13-28-3-4
Confidential information
    
Sec. 4. Inquiries made to the program and activities and documents of the program that identify or describe an individual facility or operation are confidential, unless a clear and immediate danger to the public health or environment exists. Information concerning inquiries, activities, and documents of the program that identify or describe an individual facility or operation may not be made available for use by other divisions of the department without the consent of the person who:
        (1) made the inquiry;
        (2) participated in the activity; or
        (3) provided the document.
As added by P.L.1-1996, SEC.18.

IC 13-28-3-5
Contracts to provide services
    
Sec. 5. The department may contract with another entity to provide some or all of the services required by this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-1996, SEC.18.

IC 13-28-3-6
Repealed
    
(Repealed by P.L.12-2005, SEC.6.)