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FSSA Public Meetings

Communications and Public Notice Support

The FSSA Office of Communications and Media can support you in many ways, including helping you meet your legal obligations for public notices, as well as help support an event you are planning.

Public Access Laws

Public Notice – Your Responsibility Checklist

Indiana’s public access laws are comprised of the Open Door Law and the Access to Public Records Act (commonly known as APRA). The purpose of the Open Door Law is to provide the opportunity for the public to be fully informed as to the official actions of public agencies. In keeping with the purpose of the law, all meetings of the governing bodies of public agencies are to be open at all times so that the public can observe and record them.

In order for the public to observe the meetings of public agencies, they have to be informed as to when the meetings will occur. This is the basis for the requirement that public agencies post notices of meetings at least 48 hours in advance.

Meeting notices are required for all public meetings. Meeting notices must be posted at an agency’s principal office or, if there is no principal office, the notice should be posted at the building where the meeting will occur. New rule changes also require notices to be posted online.

The legal requirement for postings is the date, exact time, and location of the meeting, no less than 48 hours in advance of the meeting (48 hours does not include weekends or holidays).

You must also send an electronic copy of the public notice to the FSSA web team (webrequests@fssa.IN.gov) as far in advance as possible so it can be added to the state’s online calendar and on the agency website. Please contact webrequests@fssa.IN.gov at least 72 hours prior to a public meeting to allow time for it to be posted.

The Open Door Law is just that, a law! Individuals responsible for public notices are accountable. Please contact the FSSA Office of General Counsel with any questions.

Events and Trainings

The FSSA Office of Communications and Media also offers support for special events and trainings. When preparing for an event, you are encouraged to involve the FSSA Office of Communications and Media to help support your efforts and ensure a successful outcome. The communications team can develop support materials and branding, as well as promote the event through social media and other channels. Contact the FSSA Office of Communications and Media any time!