This bill amends current law to allow public bodies in New Jersey to conduct meetings, vote, and receive public comments through electronic means without the previous restriction that such activities could only occur during a declared state of emergency, public health emergency, or state of local disaster emergency. The new legal language specifies that public bodies can perform these functions "either in whole or in part" using communication or other electronic equipment, and any meeting conducted in this manner must remain open to the public in accordance with existing open public meeting laws.

Additionally, the bill allows public bodies to provide electronic notice of meetings instead of the traditional adequate notice required under the Open Public Meetings Act during emergencies. This change aims to facilitate the ongoing operation of government by enabling public bodies to discuss and effectuate necessary business related to emergency declarations. The Department of Community Affairs and the State Board of Education are authorized to adopt rules and regulations to implement this act, which will take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10:4-9.3