The Freedom of Information Act is a collection of regulations requiring transparency and disclosure in government. FOIA is often called The Sunshine Law, shining light on the workings of government agencies.   FOIA makes meetings, records, votes, deliberations, and other official actions available for public observation, participation, and/or inspection. FOIA also require government meetings to be held with sufficient advance notice and at times and places that are convenient and accessible to the public, with exceptions for emergency meetings.

FOIA plays an important role in keeping government transparent and accountable, and has been used to expose a wide range of government misconduct and waste, along with threats to the public's health and safety. 

Yes, all 50 states have enacted open meetings laws similar to FOIA that govern state and local governing bodies. Each of the 50 states has enacted a Sunshine Law or Open Meetings Act governing its own agencies.  

The South Carolina Open Meetings Law legislates the methods by which public meetings are conducted. Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code of Laws defines the law. The law states that a meeting is the convening of quorum of the members of a public body, for the purposes of discussing and deciding on public business. If violated, the court may award attorney fees to the plaintiff and may assess fines of up to $100 or 30 days for a first offense. Open Meetings Law S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-60 et seq.

The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies in South Carolina. South Carolina’s definition of records includes all records, no matter their physical characteristics, that were “prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body.” Anyone may request public records (except police reports, information about disabled individuals, and some employee information). Freedom of Information Act S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-10 to 30-4-55

Visit www.https://scpress.org/foia-citizens-guide/

Yes, all board trustees have had the advantage of FOIA training https://www.lexrich5.org/cms/lib/SC01916806/Boardmanship
presented by the district attorney as well as workshops attended at the state SC School Board Association Convention.