The bill amends Section 42-46-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-46, titled "Open Meetings," to authorize the committees of the General Assembly to take testimony from members of the public remotely via electronic communication, including telephonic communication and telephone conferencing. The new provisions stipulate that remote participants and those present at the meeting location must be clearly audible and visible to each other, and a quorum of the body must be participating. Additionally, if videoconferencing is utilized, public notices for the meeting must inform the public of this and provide instructions on how to access the virtual meeting.

The bill also clarifies the conditions under which public bodies can hold closed meetings, emphasizing the need for prior notification to affected individuals regarding discussions about their job performance or personal matters. It outlines the circumstances under which electronic communication can be used, particularly for members with disabilities or those on active military duty. The act is designed to improve accessibility and transparency in public meetings while maintaining the integrity of the closed meeting provisions. The bill will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8486: 42-46-5