The Sunshine Laws Manual – also known as the “Yellow Book” – is a guidebook to Ohio’s Public Records and Open Meetings laws. The manual is intended as a road map for those seeking information about how their government operates and how it uses their money. The Public Records Unit of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office assembles the Sunshine Laws Manual every year, making updates and edits to stay current with the evolving law in Ohio.
The online version of the manual is searchable and has links to most of the statutes and cases that are cited, and to other useful resources. If you would like a printed copy of the manual, contact the Public Records Unit by phone at 614-466-2872 or by email at Sunshine@Ohioago.gov.
Citizens and local governmental offices and officials should know that the Sunshine Laws Manual is intended as a guide and should not be interpreted as legal authority. In addition, how the Sunshine Laws are applied comes from case law and statutes, which are interpreted by the courts. Local governmental offices and officials should consult their designated attorney and/or conduct independent legal research with specific questions about these laws.