Appointments, Removals, and Training - Regulations

The purpose of this regulation is to establish standards for training members of boards, commissions, and committees on the Maryland Open Meetings Act and basic parliamentary procedure.

A. Open Meetings Act. Open Meetings Act training should cover topics such as:

1. identification of a “public body” subject to the Act;

2. determination when a public body is “meeting” under the Act;

3. the different types of “functions” subject to the Act;

4. notice requirements;

5. permissible reasons for closing a meeting, and the procedure to close a meeting;

6. the requirement to take and maintain meeting minutes, and what should be included; and

7. the Open Meetings Act Compliance Board.

Training that is sufficient to meet the training requirements of the Maryland Open Meetings Act also meets the standards established by this regulation.

B. Parliamentary training. Parliamentary training should cover topics such as:

1. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, Latest Edition (RONR);

2. quorum requirements;

3. how to chair a meeting;

4. the usual order of a meeting;

5. making and debating motions;

6. voting;

7. recusal and abstention; and

8. adjournment.

Training may be developed and provided in partnership with parliamentarian associations or groups.

Training may be given in-person or electronically. Each member of a board, commission, or committee at the time this regulation takes effect must submit a certificate evidencing that member’s successful completion of Open Meetings Act and parliamentary training within 90 days of the effective date of this regulation. Each new member of a board, commission, or committee must submit a certificate evidencing that member’s successful completion of Open Meetings Act and parliamentary training within 90 days of the latter of appointment or, if required, confirmation. The appointing authority may remove a member under County Code §2-148(c) if that member fails to complete and evidence the training required under this regulation.