Remote Public Participation in Open Meetings (H 5722, S 815)

We supported this legislation which would have made two major changes to the Open Meetings Act. First, it would have allowed advisory bodies to meet remotely as long as they operated their meetings in ways that would also ensure meaningful public access and participation. At the same time, it would have ensured that, for major public bodies like city and town councils and school committees, members of the public would be able to participate remotely even as the public bodies themselves would continue to be required to meet in-person. This bill passed the House but died in the Senate.