Earlier this Summer, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law an act that amended the Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law. The states Office of Open Records (OOR), will be holding a virtual webinar to explain the amended law, with additional seminars in August and September on related topics.

The amended version of the law requires state government agencies, local municipalities, and school districts to post an agenda online no later than 24 hours before the start of a public meeting, with exceptions, for example, pertaining to “emergency” situations.

The webinar called, “Basics of the Sunshine Act” is on Wednesday, August 11 at 10 a.m., and  will cover the basic information about the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.

Additionally, you can view the Power Point presentation here for the informational session.

The webinar is conducted via Skype and you will be asked to download a small application. Please test the link prior to the webinar and speak with your IT department if you encounter issues.  Watch the webinar by visiting: https://meet.lync.com/pagov/ra-dcoortraining/08SFCCF8.

You may also listen to the webinar audio by joining via telephone at (267) 332-8737.  The Conference ID is 783481875.

Additionally, the Office of Open Records has scheduled the following webinars:

• August 18 at 10 a.m. – Right-to-Know Law Payment Issues
• August 25 at 10 a.m. – The Right-to-Know Law for Law Enforcement
• September 1 at 10 a.m. – Right to Know Law Payment Issues
• September 8 at 10 a.m. – Laws that Protect Information

The opportunity to review an agenda before a public meeting is a positive step towards increasing government accountability and citizen participation,” Office of Open Records Executive Director Liz Wagenseller said. “Access to timely and relevant information is crucial to promoting open and knowledgeable dialogue between citizens and government officials, and we look forward to the continued work of the legislature to improve government responsiveness and transparency.”

The revision to the Sunshine Act specifies no penalties for violating the new requirement to post an agenda 24 hours before a public meeting.  It would be up to a court to determine if the law was violated and any sanctions imposed, Wagenseller said in a Monday e-mail exchange.

Under the Right-to-Know Law, the OOR is required to offer training on the Sunshine Act.  The OOR will conduct a webinar on the Sunshine Act, including the newly enacted SB 554