Bill > S2055

This bill aims to enhance public access to deliberations of public bodies and improve the efficiency of public bodies. The key provisions include: 1. Expanding the definition of "Deliberation" to include "materials" used by the public body. 2. Amending the definition of "Meeting" to clarify that it includes gatherings of members of a public body. 3. Adding a new definition for "Public Internet Discussion", which allows members of a public body to discuss matters within their jurisdiction online, while enabling the public to monitor the discussion and, at the discretion of the public body, participate in the discussion. 4. Requiring all public meetings and public internet discussions to be open to the public, with specific notice requirements for both. 5. Mandating the creation and maintenance of accurate minutes for all meetings, as well as the capture and public accessibility of all information exchanged during public internet discussions. The overall goal of this bill is to increase transparency and public access to the deliberations and decision-making processes of public bodies, while also providing more flexibility and efficiency for these bodies to conduct their business.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2055