Publications for Freedom of Information Act

Effective December 28, 2018, the Legislature approved two important amendments to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Learn more from attorney Anne Seurynck.

Generally, meetings of public bodies must be open to the public according to the requirements of the Open Meetings Act ("OMA"), 1976 PA 267. So, how can a public body maintain the confidentiality of attorney-client privileged information that must be discussed by the board, council or commission?

Employment related issues can be sensitive. How do municipalities balance the requirements of the OMA and handling difficult personnel matters?

Summary of the proposed changes that HB 5879 would make to the Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 442, if enacted. Many of these changes would directly impact litigation fees and costs for defending FOIA violations.

For the first time in Michigan, the Court addressed whether e-mails sent by public employees on the public body’s e-mail systems were automatically considered "public records" under the FOIA.

The use of e-mail has also caused additional issues with respect to recordkeeping and responding to the Freedom of Information Act requests.

The Governor recently signed Senate Bill 206 unifying the three current planning acts for municipalities, townships, and counties into a single Michigan Planning Enabling Act.

The Joint Municipal Planning Act allows Townships and other municipalities to engage in joint planning.