video recorded by attendees. Each public governmental body may set up guidelines regarding the recording process. These guidelines can be found in the body’s Sunshine Law Policy. No one is allowed to record a closed meeting, if they are not given permission to do so.

limits how much a public body can charge – per page, and per hour – for copying and research costs.

judicial records. Missouri Sunshine Law 3 Table of Contents Inside the Sunshine Law A Citizen’s Guide to Missouri’s Sunshine Law............................................................4 Public Policy Favoring Openness................................................................................4 Enforcement of the Sunshine Law..............................................................................4 Meetings of Public Governmental Bodies................................................................6 Records of Public Governmental Bodies...................................................................7 Charges Allowed................................................................................................................8 Brief Summary Regarding Law Enforcement Records.........................................8 FAQs – Public Governmental Body.................................................................................9 FAQs – Law Enforcement...................................................................................................13 Sample Forms.........................................................................................................................15 Resolution..........................................................................................................................15 Notice of Open Meeting...............................................................................................16 Notice of Closed Meeting.............................................................................................17 Notice of Open Meeting and Vote to Close Part of Meeting...........................18 Request to have Objection to Closed Meeting Entered into Minutes.........19 Request Form...................................................................................................................19 Records Request Form..................................................................................................20 Court Decisions and Attorney General Opinions..................................................21 Public Governmental Bodies and Public Meetings............................................21 Records Requests...........................................................................................................22 Open Records and Meetings......................................................................................23 Closure Permitted..........................................................................................................24 Fees.....................................................................................................................................24 Enforcement and Penalties for Purposeful or Knowing Violations...............25 Law Enforcement Records...........................................................................................26 Attorney General Opinons..........................................................................................27 The Sunshine Law – Chapter 610, RSMo...................................................................30 Transparency Policy.............................................................................................................72 Freedom of Information Act............................................................................................73

FAQs – Public Governmental Body.................................................................................9 FAQs – Law Enforcement...................................................................................................13 Sample Forms.........................................................................................................................15 Resolution..........................................................................................................................15 Notice of Open Meeting...............................................................................................16 Notice of Closed Meeting.............................................................................................17 Notice of Open Meeting and Vote to Close Part of Meeting...........................18 Request to have Objection to Closed Meeting Entered into Minutes.........19 Request Form...................................................................................................................19 Records Request Form..................................................................................................20 Court Decisions and Attorney General Opinions..................................................21 Public Governmental Bodies and Public Meetings............................................21 Records Requests...........................................................................................................22 Open Records and Meetings......................................................................................23 Closure Permitted..........................................................................................................24 Fees.....................................................................................................................................24 Enforcement and Penalties for Purposeful or Knowing Violations...............25 Law Enforcement Records...........................................................................................26 Attorney General Opinons..........................................................................................27 The Sunshine Law – Chapter 610, RSMo...................................................................30 Transparency Policy.............................................................................................................72 Freedom of Information Act............................................................................................73 Missouri Sunshine Law 4 A Citizen’s Guide to Missouri’s Sunshine Law While it is important to familiarize yourself with the entire text of the Sunshine Law, this portion is dedicated to providing its core tenets in plain, straightforward language. We hope it serves as an accessible foundation upon which you may build an in-depth understanding of this important set of statutes. PUBLIC POLICY FAVORING OPENNESS Except when closure is allowed by law, all public meetings and public records of public governmental bodies must be open and available to the public, and all of their public votes shall be recorded. Meetings and records of public governmental bodies may (though not “shall”) be closed for the reasons listed in Section 610.021, RSMo. (including, but not limited to, privileged discussions with a body’s lawyers or auditors, certain personnel matters, sealed bids until opened, social security numbers, and certain public safety, security system, and computer access information.) The Sunshine Law applies to “public governmental bodies” – virtually all arms of state and local government, as well as “quasi-public governmental bodies,” which are persons or corporations which, primarily, enter into contracts with public governmental bodies, accept public funds, or perform public functions. Subcommittees appointed to make recommendations to public bodies are also covered by the law. Each public governmental body must have a written Sunshine Law policy available to members of the public, and a Custodian of Records whose name is available to the public upon request.

Subcommittees appointed to make recommendations to public bodies are also covered by the law. Each public governmental body must have a written Sunshine Law policy available to members of the public, and a Custodian of Records whose name is available to the public upon request. ENFORCEMENT OF THE SUNSHINE LAW A lawsuit to enforce the Sunshine Law may be brought by any citizen, county prosecutor, or the Attorney General, in the circuit court of the county where the public governmental body has its principal place of business. Suit must be filed within one year from when the violation is ascertainable, and in no event later than two years after the violation occurred. Statute provides specific consequences for violating the Sunshine Law. “Knowing” violations result in civil fines up to $1,000.00. “Purposeful” violations result in civil fines up to $5,000.00, plus attorneys’ fees. Injunctive relief is also available. When the public interest requires, courts may void actions taken in violation of the Sunshine Law. Missouri Sunshine Law 5