Attorney General's Media Advisory

July 9, 2012

Attorney General's Office to offer Sunshine Law Workshop August 15

Jefferson City, Mo. — A free workshop pertaining to the Missouri Sunshine Law will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in meeting room A-B at Bates County Memorial Hospital. The address of the hospital is 615 W. Nursery Street, Butler, Mo. 64730. The one-hour class will be conducted by Tom Durkin -- public education director for the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. The public is invited to attend, along with all interested elected officials and members of boards and commissions.

The workshop is part of an on-going effort by Attorney General Chris Koster to provide government officials with the support they need to be well informed in conducting their business in a way that brings transparency and fairness to all aspects of government. Topics covered in the presentation will include:

• Who does the Sunshine Law apply to?
• What is a public meeting?
• What is a public record?
• Liberal construction of the law;
• Procedures and limitations for closing meetings and records;
• Appointing a custodian of records; and
• Fees for copying public records

For additional information regarding this meeting contact Tom Durkin at the Missouri Attorney General’s Office at (573) 751-8843.

The Attorney General’s Office also offers a free booklet containing a summary of the Sunshine Law, frequently asked questions, interpretations of the law and sample forms for public governmental bodies. If you would like to order publications, call 573-751-8844 or submit your request online at www.ago.mo.gov.

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818