State Agency Violates Wrongfully Denies Sunshine Request

gavel and judge in court

A Missouri Agency violated the State’s open records law in connection with a court case.

Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem has ruled the Missouri Department of Social Services violated the Sunshine Law by wrongfully denying a records request. The department also took months to respond to the request without a reasonable justification according to Judge Beetem.

The Missouri Independent reports a software company and former state vendor HHS Technology submitted the records request and filed the suit.

Judge Beetem ordered the department to hand over the records and set a hearing to consider penalties.