This bill amends current law to allow public bodies in New Jersey to conduct meetings and public business through electronic means without the previous restrictions that limited such practices to periods of declared emergencies. Specifically, it removes the requirement that remote meetings, voting, and public comment could only occur during a state of emergency, public health emergency, or state of local disaster emergency. Instead, public bodies can now utilize electronic communication for these functions at any time, ensuring greater flexibility in how they operate.

Additionally, the bill allows public bodies to provide electronic notice of meetings in lieu of traditional adequate notice requirements, as long as the matters discussed are necessary for the ongoing operation of government related to any emergency declaration. The Department of Community Affairs and the State Board of Education are empowered to adopt regulations to implement this act, which will take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10:4-9.3