This legislative bill concerns the state's open meeting law for public bodies. The bill requires that all public meetings be accessible both physically and remotely at no cost, accommodating individuals with disabilities. The bill mandates generally that at least one-third of a public body’s members to be physically present at meetings, while remote participants are granted the same voting rights and contribute to the quorum. The bill also requires that state public body meetings be video recorded, with recordings made available online within ten business days. It also requires accurate minutes for all meetings, including executive sessions, to be created and made available upon request. 

The bill includes penalties for repeated knowing violations, allowing civil penalties against individual public body members, and private education letters and reprimands. 

This legislative bill amends Chapter 30A of the General Laws of Massachusetts to outline protocols for remote participation in meetings of public bodies and to establish procedures for postponing elections and town meetings. Specifically, the bill allows members of public bodies to participate remotely in meetings, including through voting, and enables these members to count towards a quorum. Public bodies utilizing remote participation must ensure public access at no cost, provide accessible documents, and comply with legal requirements for participation. Voting in such meetings is to be conducted via roll call. Additionally, municipalities are authorized to develop their own standards for remote participation.

The bill also grants select boards the authority to postpone elections in cases of emergencies or other circumstances, identifying new dates within established limits. Decisions regarding postponement can be determined in remote meetings, and rescheduled election notices must be posted publicly. Existing deadlines and materials remain in effect for postponed elections. The legislation further allows town meetings to occur remotely or in a hybrid model, contingent on certification by town moderators concerning technological capacity and accessibility. These procedures are designed to ensure equal participation and the integrity of voting, with recordings of meetings made publicly accessible for a designated period.

This legislative bill focuses on enhancing the transparency and accessibility of public body meetings in Massachusetts by implementing several key measures. It mandates that all meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with exemptions only under specific conditions. Meeting notices must be posted at least 48 hours in advance, not counting weekends and holidays, and follow guidelines tailored to various public bodies. The bill allows for remote participation, ensuring that all attendees can hear and communicate with each other and vote remotely, with no fees imposed. Public bodies must facilitate remote attendance for all members, and neither the chair nor a quorum needs to be physically present. Additionally, members of public bodies are required to certify their understanding of open meeting laws within two weeks of starting their service.

The bill also establishes guidelines for remote and hybrid town meetings. Town moderators can request meetings be conducted remotely or in a hybrid format, provided they meet specified operational standards confirmed by the moderator and are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Participants in remote meetings must be verified for voter registration. Such meetings require approval from the select board or board of selectmen, with details clearly specified in meeting notices or warrants. It mandates that roll call votes be accurately recorded and included in the meeting minutes, affirming the validity of actions taken in these meetings. The bill further tasks the attorney general with developing standards for remote and hybrid participation to ensure procedural clarity and integrity.

The legislation amends Massachusetts General Laws to enhance remote participation in public meetings and introduce flexibility in election scheduling under certain conditions. It allows public bodies to authorize remote participation by their members, with such participation equated to physical attendance in terms of voting and quorum requirements. The bill requires these bodies to ensure public engagement remains accessible, provide necessary documentation, and maintain fair participation opportunities in line with legal standards. It grants municipal, state, and regional bodies the ability to set their guidelines for remote engagement, while also allowing local disability commissions to establish their standards.

Additionally, the bill grants select boards the authority to postpone annual elections in instances such as public emergencies, with guidance on setting a new timeline and maintaining compliance with laws on voter registration and absentee voting. It also supports conducting town meetings through remote or hybrid formats. This involves utilizing technology that ensures secure voting, public access, and transparent interactions. The bill outlines requirements for ensuring disabled individuals can participate and mandates the preservation of meeting records for public access. Furthermore, the attorney general must develop best practices for these remote processes, with a focus on transparency and public review prior to their implementation.

This bill authorizes members of a public body to engage in meetings remotely, where they will be considered present for all purposes, including voting and establishing a quorum. The bill requires that all participants must be clearly audible to one another abd mandates that meetings must be accessible to the public through audio or video conferencing. Supporting documents for the meetings must be made publicly available before or at the time of the meeting. The bill prohibits charging subscription fees or any other charges for public access to remote meetings.