An Indiana appeals court, in Baker vs. Middlebury, has extended the reach of city and town officials to take action in executive, or non-public, meetings. Under current law, there are only a few reasons that government can meet in closed sessions. When the Middlebury town marshal was fired in an executive session and replaced (an act he wasn’t expecting), he sued. Unfortunately, the appellate court sided with the town and said they could take such an action. The Indiana Supreme Courtrefused to hear the case, providing access advocates only a legislative route for repairs to the law.

Update (2/12/04): The bills will not be heard this session.

Update (1/24/04):The two bills — S.B. 351, authored by Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis), and H.B. 1248, authored by Rep. Dennie Oxley (D-English) — have been filed. They have not received a committee hearing yet.An Indiana appeals court, in Baker vs. Middlebury, has extended the reach of city and town officials to take action in executive, or non-public, meetings. Under current law, there are only a few reasons that government can meet in closed sessions. When the Middlebury town marshal was fired in an executive session and replaced (an act he wasn’t expecting), he sued. Unfortunately, the appellate court sided with the town and said they could take such an action. The Indiana Supreme Courtrefused to hear the case, providing access advocates only a legislative route for repairs to the law.

Update (2/12/04): The bills will not be heard this session.

Update (1/24/04):The two bills — S.B. 351, authored by Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis), and H.B. 1248, authored by Rep. Dennie Oxley (D-English) — have been filed. They have not received a committee hearing yet.