New Indiana hotline answers questions on public information and open meeting laws

Indianapolis Star

2 days ago

A nonprofit dedicated to embracing government transparency has launched a new phone hotline to answer Hoosiers' questions about public records and open meetings laws.
The Indiana Coalition for Open Government is an education, advocacy and watchdog group that is ramping up its public presence through its new 260-ASK-ICOG hotline.
Zachary Baiel, the coalition's president, said the group was motivated to launch the hotline after hearing about the backlog of such requests at the state-operated public access counselor's office.
Jennifer Ruby, appointed by Gov. Mike Braun to be Indiana's new public access counselor, previously told IndyStar that she is working through a backlog of public access questions and complaints stemming back to last year. Her office is responsible for both educating officials about the public's right to information and answering Hoosiers' questions about the state's public access law.
"One of the goals with it is to help the PAC office, hopefully," Baiel said. "We're not saying that she's not happy to take those, but they do take up time. We're happy to take other questions that might just be routine types of things."
The hotline will act as an advocate for citizens navigating state public access laws, Baiel said, but it is not providing legal advice.
The hotline was established to support Hoosiers who have questions related to the Access to Public Records Act and the Open Door Law. These statutes are often called "sunshine laws."
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act enshrines the right for the public to request a broad swath of government records, though limitations do exist. Government officials are also subject to the Open Door Law, which stipulates transparency conditions for public meetings.
IndyStar previously published an explainer on how to request public records.
Examples of public records people can request include: police records, car accident reports, body camera footage, government contracts, staff communications, financial records, inspection reports, court records, LLC filings and property records.
The federal Freedom of Information Act and related state laws enshrine the right for citizens to know the inner workings of their government. Several organizations say the right to information is critical, so citizens can be informed and use their First Amendment rights.
"A fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government is that government is the servant of the people and not their master," Indiana Code reads. "Accordingly, it is the public policy of the state that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees."
Hoosiers can call the hotline by dialing 260-ASK-ICOG, which is a vanity phone number for 260-275-4264.
While Indiana law permits much of local and state government business to be publicly accessible, questions often arise over how to obtain information, if an agency is properly fulfilling a request and what to do if a request for information is denied.
"You've got people who don't know what to do, but they want to do something, and you have others that know what they want to do, but they're running into issues," Baiel said. "We're happy to help both or really anyone who has questions like that."
Volunteers staffing the hotline can assist with any and all questions related to public access, he saids: If they can't answer a question, he said they will connect a caller with someone who can.
Some scenarios they can help with:
Volunteers on the hotline can also help alleviate concerns and talk through what can sometimes feel like a frustrating process, Baiel said.
"Public access can be a very lonely road," he said. "There is a support, almost therapy, component to (the hotline) as well."
Hoosiers can call the hotline anytime, but staff don't answer 24/7. If a caller doesn't connect with a volunteer, Baiel asks that they leave a message, and volunteers will get back to callers as soon as possible.
Part of why the coalition launched the hotline, Baiel said, is to be able to more immediately respond to urgent requests. For example, he said a person can call and connect with a volunteer within minutes if they are blocked from recording at a public meeting.
The hotline is in a pilot period and will be available at least through the end of the summer. If public demand aligns with volunteer availability, Baiel said the goal is for the hotline to be available long term.
The coalition can also be reached over email at [e-mail].
When ringing the hotline, Hoosiers will be connected with one of three coalition board members: Baiel, Stephen Key or Gerry Lanosga.
The bulk of Baiel's public record knowledge comes from filing requests, giving public testimony and challenging denials. By trade, he is a business owner, but he's developed a reputation in West Lafayette as an outspoken supporter of government transparency.
Key was a longtime executive director and general counsel of the Hoosier State Press Association, the state's journalism trade organization. In that role, he lobbied the state Legislature to pass laws embracing the public's freedom of information rights.
And Lanosga is an assistant professor within Indiana University's Media School where he specializes in journalism history, journalism's intersections with public policy and the freedom of information.
The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.