NC Sunshine Laws Lesson Plan
This lesson plan will increase civic engagement among North Carolina high school and college students. These materials are designed to help students learn about North Carolina’s Sunshine Laws, which give everyone the right to attend public meetings and request public records.
Why now? This year marks the 90th anniversary of North Carolina’s Public Records Act, one of the nation’s oldest Sunshine Laws. On July 4, 2026, the U.S. will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both.
First Amendment + Sunshine Laws
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives Americans five freedoms:
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of the press
- Freedom of assembly
- Freedom to petition the government
Those Constitutional freedoms are further defined by “Sunshine Laws,” statutes or ordinances passed at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Sunshine Laws clarify how, when, and where citizens may exercise their First Amendment freedoms – particularly freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom to petition the government.
North Carolina’s two most important Sunshine Laws are the Public Records Act (first passed in 1935) and the Open Meetings Law (first passed in 1971). Both laws have been amended numerous times and continue to be amended by the state Legislature.
In North Carolina, Sunshine Laws provide citizens with legal access to open public meetings and public records.
Sunlight is said to be the best disinfectant.
What are open public meetings? The term open public meeting refers to all hearings, deliberations, and actions of public bodies that must be conducted publicly. A public body is an elected or appointed body, of two or more members that exercise, or are authorized to exercise, legislative, policy-making, administrative, or advisory functions.
What are public records? Public records include all documents, emails, phone records, recordings, digital files, and databases created and maintained by government agencies. Citizens may request public records verbally or in writing, but they do not have to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request.
The public records of the State of North Carolina and of the counties and municipalities thereof constitute the chief monuments of North Carolina’s past.
Open Public Meetings Fact Sheet
- Any public body is subject to open public meeting laws. Public bodies include any body of state or local government that carries out a legislative, policy-making, quasi-judicial, administrative, or advisory function.
- Any time a public body is assembled and discusses public business – even at a social function – the meeting is considered official and therefore, subject to open meeting laws.
- Sometimes closed meetings are allowed. However, the public body must state the legal justification and the purpose for going into closed session. A general account of what happens during closed sessions must be maintained by the public body.
- Public notice is required before any open meeting takes place. The law recommends posting meeting notices on government bulletin boards and websites within 48 hours of a public meeting.
- All open meetings are entirely open to the public, but space restrictions may apply. Some public meetings may be called virtually during an emergency situation like the COVID-19 pandemic or Hurricane Helene.
- Any person may photograph, film, record, or otherwise reproduce any part of an open meeting. Any radio or television station may broadcast any part of a public meeting.
- A public body may regulate the placement of broadcast recording equipment to prevent undue interference during the meeting.
- If the open meetings law is violated, an individual can seek legal remedies in court.
Public Records Fact Sheet
- Public records are the property of the people of North Carolina and only certain exemptions exist.
- A public record is any database, digital file, email, text message, document, letter, map, book, photograph, film, sound recording, artifact, or other documentary material made or received by the North Carolina state government and its subdivisions.
- When requesting a public record, the requestor does not have to disclose a reason for wanting to obtain that record. The requestor does not have to be a North Carolina citizen or an American citizen. In fact, the requestor may remain anonymous.
- A minimal fee may apply to obtaining public records. Generally, it consists of the cost to copy or reproduce the material. Requesting records electronically can cut down on duplication fees.
- Emails from personal email accounts and texts from personal cellphones used to conduct public business must be disclosed under the public records law. State employees should refrain from using personal email and personal devices when conducting public business.
- When public records requests are denied, individuals may seek legal remedies in court.
- Records exempt from public scrutiny are legislative records, criminal investigation records, campaign finance complaints, juvenile autopsy records, tax records, library records, medical records, educational records, trade secrets, and attorney/client communications.
- North Carolina courts may release certain law enforcement and criminal investigation records upon receiving a formal request.
Test your knowledge!
Play our free 10 question Kahoot! We highly recommend displaying the quiz during class in “Lecture” mode.
Group Project: Sunshine Mural
- Students should be assigned to groups, and each group will create a Sunshine Mural (creatively designed informational sheet).
- These murals should reflect students’ understanding of their rights in North Carolina to access open public meetings and public records.
- Creativity is key. Think of a clever way to present the information. Illustrations and white space should be abundant, and text should be kept to a minimum.
- Once completed, student groups will present their murals to the class.
Go Further: Additional Sunshine Resources
Who are we?
Founded in 2003, the North Carolina Open Government Coalition (NCOGC) is a nonpartisan advocate for open government and freedom of information. The Coalition consists of journalists, media lawyers, librarians, public servants, academics, educators, and civic leaders. Through educational programming and public service, the coalition advocates for the principles of open government at all levels.
A member of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, the NCOGC educates citizens about their rights to access to public records, open meetings, and other government activities. Based at Elon University, NCOGC celebrates Sunshine Week through the NC News & Information Summit, a partnership with NC Local that brings all members of the coalition together to celebrate the First Amendment and North Carolina’s Sunshine Laws. Members of the public can support the NCOGC’s work—or ask for help through the hotline—by visiting our website.