From the South Bend Tribune:
Q: I’m trying to find out what happened at a special meeting called by a local library board to potentially fire its director. I know we have a right to inspect the meeting minutes within a “reasonable” amount of time under the law, but if I request them, does the board have to supply me with a written copy?
A: Yes, minutes of a public meeting should be accessible quickly.
I can’t think of anything that the library board could claim was confidential.
The question may be about when the draft of the minutes is created.
I always suggest that reporters request the meeting memoranda, which is created during the meeting by law.
You have the right to inspect or copy the memoranda under the Access to Public Records Act, so officials must create the copy or allow you to create a copy of the document.
Contact Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, with media law questions at skey@hspa.com or (317) 624-4427.
