Attorney General's Media Advisory

January 12, 2012

Attorney General's Office to offer Sunshine Law Workshop February 23

Jefferson City, Mo. — A free workshop pertaining to the Missouri Sunshine Law will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the Odessa, Mo. Water District Office located at 210 South Third Street, Odessa, Missouri 64076 beginning at 6 p.m.

The one hour presentation will be conducted by Tom Durkin, public education director, 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 Sunshine Law presentation contact: Tom Durkin at tom.durkin@ago.mo.gov or Ronald Sowell, PWSD #1, Lafayette County, 816-230-7313.

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. You can order this publication 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