HS/HCS/HB 237, 270, 403 & 442 - This act revises various provisions relating to the Sunshine Law. The act provides that the governing body of a public hospital and any related organization may close portions of records and meetings pertaining to specified matters, such as payment amounts of contracts with health carriers, discussion of new health services, and physician contractual compensation. Any closed records shall be disclosed to the State Auditor, or upon subpoena by only state departments pursuant to an investigation. Meetings and records shall not be construed as public if the hospital does not receive money from a tax levy and the public hospital waives its right to claim sovereign immunity.

The act also clarifies that the boards and committees within the University of Missouri are public governmental bodies subject to Sunshine Law requirements. Votes taken during any meeting, whether open or closed, shall be by roll call, except for votes on procedural or ministerial matters. Roll call votes on closed legal, real estate, and personnel matters shall be made public in accordance with other closed records. The exception for scholastic records is limited to records regarding students who are financially dependent on parents for tax purposes. The exception for communications between a public body and its auditor shall not include any completed audit for a public entity or state-supported university. The exception for municipal electric utilities shall become null and void if the General Assembly fails to enact legislation authorizing restructuring by December 31, 2003.

A court may fine a public body up to $2,500 for a knowing violation. The penalty may not be larger than 5 percent of the public body's annual budget. The court shall take into account prior violations when imposing a fine, as well as the seriousness of the offense.
JOAN GUMMELS

SCA 1 - REQUIRES THAT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES OF MISSOURI HIGHER EDUCATION SAVINGS PROGRAM ACCOUNTS BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND LIMITS THEIR DISCLOSURE TO ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES.