Bill > H2816

This bill amends Chapter 30A of the General Laws, which governs open meetings for public bodies, by introducing provisions for "Public Internet Discussions." A Public Internet Discussion is defined as an online conversation among members of a public body that can cover matters within their jurisdiction, with the key requirement that the public must be able to monitor these discussions online. The bill mandates that all participants in these discussions must be authenticated to ensure their statements are accurately attributed, and it explicitly states that no votes or formal actions can be taken during these online exchanges, nor is there a quorum requirement. Furthermore, the bill requires public bodies to provide at least 48 hours' notice for both regular meetings and Public Internet Discussions, detailing how the public can access and monitor these online proceedings, including providing URLs and instructions for subscribing to message exchanges or accessing archives. The bill also clarifies that deliberations can only occur in formal meetings, Public Internet Discussions, or specific exempted gatherings, and it mandates that accurate records, including all exchanged information, dates, times, and participants, must be maintained and made freely accessible online for Public Internet Discussions, with statements made being attributed solely to the individual and not the public body.