Senate panel to consider Mo. open records measure

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri Senate committee is considering whether to renew security exemptions to the state's open records law while requiring more advance notice of public meetings.

Two exemptions expired this year. One covered operational guidelines and policies developed by law enforcement and others for preventing and responding to terrorism. The other dealt with security systems and structural plans for property owned or leased by government agencies.

The Senate measure would renew the exemptions through 2017.

The bill would also require most public bodies to give 48 hours' notice of meetings instead of the current 24 hours. And governmental agencies that seek to close meetings or records because of a "cause of action" would need evidence a lawsuit has been filed or have correspondence indicating it will be.

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