Attorney general warns Moberly schools about new recording law

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri's attorney general has sent a letter to the Moberly School District, warning the district that it is out of compliance with a new state law allowing parents to record meetings to talk about specialized education.

State lawmakers in May passed a law allowing parents to record sessions with educators regarding their students' individual education plans. The plans are made for students who need special accommodations as part of the learning process. The law took effect Aug. 28.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt wrote a letter to the district saying his office has received reports that parents are being required to sign a form limiting their rights before they can record the meetings. He wrote that the form does not comply with the new law.

"I urge you to change your policy immediately to comply with the law," Schmitt wrote in the letter to Moberly Superintendent Dustin Fanning dated Sept. 16.

Schmitt said the new law gives parents an "absolute right" to record the meetings and to have control over the recordings afterward.

The law's passage came after a long battle between some Columbia Public Schools' parents and the district over the right to record the meetings.

The Moberly School District did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.