Open government is a cornerstone of our democracy, and is advanced at the state and local levels by the provisions of the Open Meeting Law and the Public Records Law. The level of openness these laws require—and the mechanisms which enforce public access—are important to the governmental officials, counsel for governmental bodies, and members of the public and media who wish to monitor meetings and actions. The expert panel addresses the changes to the Public Records Law and the Open Meeting Law as well as the interaction of these laws in the context of local and state government.
Join us as our expert panel reviews the current Public Records Law just two years following its most recent update, including the evolving “RAO” role, electronic records issues, and deadlines for production of records. The faculty highlight emerging topics and best practices including: applying exemption claims, differentiating large requests from the current harassment standard under the law, and identifying inherent tools within the statute for responding to voluminous requests. Additionally, the panel discusses relevant and important updates within the Open Meeting Law, such as what constitutes deliberation, the requirements for meeting notices, whether remote access to the public is required, and whether there are differences for executive meetings. Also learn what issues continue to emerge with the use of new technologies and their effects upon government function and public access in the scope of both laws.
MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.