Mo. lawmakers approve separate open records bills

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri House and Senate each has approved measures that would renew expired security exemptions to the open meetings and records law.

Both chambers voted Thursday to shield public buildings' security plans and law enforcement guidelines for terrorism incidents from public records requests. The two exemptions expired at the end of 2012.

The House bill makes the legislation permanent. The Senate's version would protect the exemptions through 2017.

The Senate's bill also would make changes designed to improve transparency to the open meetings and records law, including a requirement that governmental bodies post meeting notices 48 hours in advance.

House members voted 148-3 to send their bill to the Senate. Senators voted 34-0 for their measure, which now goes to the House.

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Open records is HB256 and SB139

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov