Bill > H0145

This bill modifies Vermont's Open Meeting Law and disorderly conduct statute to provide clearer guidelines for managing public meetings and addressing disruptive behavior. Specifically, the bill expressly authorizes chairs of public bodies to establish rules governing public comments and meeting conduct, and allows them to remove individuals who violate these rules. The legislation aims to balance citizens' speech rights and freedom of assembly with the need for efficient governmental proceedings. Under the new provisions, public bodies can adopt rules prohibiting meeting disruptions, and they may require a disruptive individual to leave a meeting, with the potential to bar in-person attendance for up to 60 days (while still allowing electronic participation). Additionally, the bill amends the disorderly conduct statute to include "substantially impairing the effective conduct of a meeting of a public body" as a potential offense. The legislative intent emphasizes that while public meetings should be open to diverse viewpoints and peaceful participation, obstructive conduct that prevents meaningful discussion should not be tolerated. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing public bodies time to prepare and implement the new guidelines.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.145