Legal Definitions - sunshine law

A sunshine law is a legal requirement that mandates government agencies and departments to make their meetings and records accessible to the public. It is also known as an open-meeting law, public-meeting law, or open-door law.

• A city council holds a meeting to discuss a proposed ordinance. The sunshine law requires that the meeting be open to the public, and that the public be given notice of the meeting in advance.
• A state agency receives a request for public records. The sunshine law requires that the agency provide access to the requested records, unless they are exempt from disclosure under the law.

These examples illustrate how the sunshine law ensures transparency and accountability in government. By requiring open meetings and access to public records, citizens can stay informed about the actions of their government and hold officials accountable for their decisions.