Missouri Laws 37.070 – Transparency policy — public availability of data — broad interpretation of ..
1. It shall be the policy of each state department to carry out its mission with full transparency to the public. Any data collected in the course of its duties shall be made available to the public in a timely fashion. Data, reports, and other information resulting from any activities conducted by the department in the course of its duties shall be easily accessible by any member of the public.
2. Each department shall broadly interpret any request for information under section 610.023:
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 37.070
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020
(1) Even if such request for information does not use the words “sunshine request”, “open records request”, “public records request”, or any such similar wording;
(2) Even if the communication is simply an inquiry as to the availability or existence of data or information; and
(3) Regardless of the format in which the communication is made, including electronic mail, facsimile, internet, postal mail, in person, telephone, or any other format.
3. Any failure by a department to release information shall, in addition to any other applicable violation of law, be considered a violation of the department’s policy under this section and shall constitute a breach of the public’s trust.
4. This section shall not be construed to limit or exceed the requirements of the provisions in chapter 610, nor shall this section require different treatment of a record considered closed or confidential under section 610.021 than what is required under that section.