ATTORNEY GENERAL VAN HOLLEN TO HOST FIVE SEMINARS ON WISCONSIN'S PUBLIC RECORDS LAW AND OPEN MEETINGS LAW
 

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen will be hosting five free seminars across the state of Wisconsin to promote public awareness of and compliance with the state's open meetings and public records law, he announced today. At each seminar, Attorney General Van Hollen will be accompanied by assistant attorneys general who are experts in Wisconsin's open meetings and public records laws.

"Access to open meetings and public records is an essential component of effective citizen oversight of the workings of our democratic government," Van Hollen said. "Raising awareness, sharing information, and promoting compliance with the open meetings law and the public records law is part of the Department of Justice's ongoing mission. As the state's chief law enforcement officer, I understand and recognize the importance and vital need of enforcing Wisconsin's open meetings and access to public records laws. I also believe that the best way to enforce that is by educating, updating, and informing public officials as to the content of those laws."

Attorney General Van Hollen also announced today that his office has published a new revised compliance outline on the public records law.

"Most public officials recognize the importance of Wisconsin's open meetings and public records laws, and how they help inform citizens of the actions of their government," Van Hollen continued. "These seminars and the revised public records law compliance outline are designed to help officials understand their lawful obligations to meet the expectations of Wisconsin's open meetings and public records laws."

The seminars, each scheduled for three hours, will take place in Green Bay (September 18), Eau Claire (October 10), Wausau (October 15), Milwaukee (October 28) and Madison (October 29). Each seminar is free and open to the public, though registration is required due to limited seating. Individuals are invited to register at the Wisconsin Department of Justice website (http://www.doj.state.wi.us/). They may also register by submitting an email to registration@doj.state.wi.us or by calling the Department of Justice at (608) 267-2220. Registrants should provide their name, title, organization or agency, and identify the seminar they wish to attend. Additional information as to event details is available in the attached pdf document.

Participants will receive a free copy of the updated public records compliance guide along with the latest edition of the open meetings compliance guide. Both are also available on the Department of Justice's web page at http://www.doj.state.wi.us.