This law covers three things about Missouri's open meetings and records rules. First, a government group can pay for a lawyer to defend one of its members if that member gets accused of breaking the open meetings or records rules. Second, every government group must have a written policy explaining how it shares information about meetings, records, and votes — and anyone who follows that written policy cannot get in trouble or be sued for following it. Third, anyone who honestly reports a rule violation cannot be sued for reporting it, and if that person works for a government group, they cannot be fired, demoted, or punished for reporting it.
610.028. Legal of members of governmental bodies, when — written policy on of required — persons reporting violations from and discipline. — 1. Any may provide for the legal defense of any member charged with a violation of sections 610.010 to 610.030.
2. Each public governmental body shall provide a reasonable written policy in with sections 610.010 to 610.030, open to public inspection, regarding the release of information on any meeting, or vote and any member or employee of the public governmental body who complies with the written policy is not guilty of a violation of the of sections 610.010 to 610.030 or subject to for any act arising out of his adherence to the written policy of the agency.
3. No person who reports a violation of the provisions of sections 610.010 to 610.030 is for making such report, nor, if such person is an officer or employee of a public governmental body, may such person be , fired, , or otherwise disciplined for making such report.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1982 H.B. 1253, A.L. 1987 S.B. 2, A.L. 2004 H.B. 1548)
Related Missouri laws
Violations
RSMo 610.027
Governmental agencies to provide information by electronic services, contracts for public records databases, requirements, electronic services defined
RSMo 610.029
Injunctive relief authorized
RSMo 610.030
Fees for copying public records, limitations
RSMo 610.026
Electronic transmission of messages relating to public business, requirements
RSMo 610.025
Public record containing exempt and nonexempt materials, nonexempt to be made available
RSMo 610.024
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.