The bill amends Section 42-46-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-46 entitled "Open Meetings" to modify the requirements for public bodies regarding meeting notices and the handling of agenda items. The bill specifies that all public bodies must provide written notice of their regularly scheduled meetings at the beginning of each calendar year, including dates, times, and places, which must be made available to the public upon request and to the secretary of state. Additionally, public bodies are required to give at least 48 hours of supplemental written notice (excluding weekends and state holidays) before any meeting, detailing the nature of the business to be discussed. The notice must be posted at the principal office or meeting location and electronically filed with the secretary of state. The bill allows for emergency meetings with less than 48 hours' notice only if necessary to protect the public, and the reasons for such meetings must be recorded.

The bill also addresses the addition of agenda items by public bodies, particularly school committees, which may add items for informational purposes only in response to written public requests during meetings. These items cannot be voted on unless properly posted. Public bodies are permitted to respond to public comments on topics not previously posted, but these discussions are for informational purposes only and cannot be voted on unless necessary to address an unexpected occurrence. The bill includes provisions for school committees to add agenda items under certain conditions and requires electronic filing of notices with the secretary of state. The bill also outlines the process for filing complaints with the attorney general if a public body fails to comply with notice transmission requirements. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
5184  SUB A: 42-46-6
5184: 42-46-6