SELLERSBURG — Hoosiers can learn about their legal rights to obtain public records or attend government meetings when the annual Public Access Seminar series makes its next stop Aug. 16 at the Ivy Tech Sellersburg campus Thursday.

The series of free Public Access Seminar sessions is held around the state and trains residents, government officials and attorneys on Indiana’s laws concerning public records and open meetings. For attorneys, the sessions count as 2.0 hours of free Continuing Legal Education, but they are open to the general public as well.

The next session will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ivy Tech Community College, Ogle Hall, located at 8204 Ind. 311 in Sellersburg, just off Interstate 65 at Exit 9. The free event is sponsored by the News and Tribune.

The Public Access Seminars are held around the state through November. At the kickoff sessions June 19 in Indianapolis, about 310 people attended one of two events. At the seminar July 26 in Bloomington, 43 people attended. Last year’s inaugural Public Access Seminar series drew a combined 737 participants to eight free training sessions around the state, and about one quarter of last year’s attendees were members of the general public — neither attorneys nor government employees. This year’s Public Access Seminar series is sponsored by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, the Indiana Public Access Counselor’s Office and the Hoosier State Press Association.

“Strong attendance at last year’s seminars by citizens makes it clear that Hoosiers want to know how their government officials make decisions and spend their tax dollars, but they need the tools to gain access to that valuable information. Government officials and their lawyers may need to brush up on their obligations to keep meetings open and records public and learn about the new legislation passed this year, so the free Public Access Seminar series is good training on transparency for both audiences,” Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said, thanking the sponsors.

During the seminar sessions, experts discuss citizens’ rights and officials’ responsibilities under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act and Indiana Open Door Law. The panelists also discuss House Enrolled Act 1003 the Legislature passed this year that for the first time imposes fines on certain public officials who withhold public records or deny access to meetings — $100 for the first violation and $500 for additional violations.

“Accountability is key to a functioning democracy. The state’s public access laws give citizens the ability to know what government officials and employees are doing or contemplating with taxpayer dollars,” said Steve Key, executive director and general counsel of the Hoosier State Press Association.

 Zoeller, who is the lawyer for state government, and Ivy Tech Chancellor Rita Hudson Shords will give brief opening remarks Thursday, then three scheduled panelists will discuss the details of public access:

• Deputy Attorney General Matt Light, chief counsel of the Advisory Division of the Attorney General’s Office.

• Joe Hoage, Indiana Public Access Counselor, the state official who issues opinions on whether records or meetings are public.

• Steve Key

In addition to explaining the public access laws and requirements, the panelists will provide practical examples of how public records requests should be initiated by residents and addressed by officials and attorneys. Audience members will have the opportunity ask questions.

To register, contact the Attorney General’s Office at 317.233.6143 or register online at  http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2840.htm.