<section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-101" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Administrative function” means the administration of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a law of the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a law of a political subdivision of the State; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a rule, regulation, or bylaw of a public body.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Administrative function” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an advisory function;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a judicial function;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a legislative function;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a quasi–judicial function; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a quasi–legislative function.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Advisory function” means the study of a matter of public concern, or the making of recommendations on the matter, under a delegation of responsibility by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>law;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Governor or an official who is subject to the policy direction of the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the chief executive officer of a political subdivision of the State or an official who is subject to the policy direction of the chief executive officer; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>formal action by or for a public body that exercises an administrative function, judicial function, legislative function, quasi–judicial function, or quasi–legislative function.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Board” means the State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board.</text> </level> <level label="d–1"> <text>“Class on the open meetings law” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an online class on the requirements of the open meetings law offered by the Office of the Attorney General and the University of Maryland’s Institute for Governmental Service and Research;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a class on the requirements of the open meetings law offered by the Maryland Association of Counties or the Maryland Municipal League through the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a class on the requirements of the open meetings law offered by the Maryland Association of Boards of Education through the Boardsmanship Academy Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>“Judicial function” means the exercise of any power of the Judicial Branch of the State government.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Judicial function” includes the exercise of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a power for which Article IV, § 1 of the Maryland Constitution provides;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a function of a grand jury;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a function of a petit jury;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a function of the Commission on Judicial Disabilities; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a function of a judicial nominating commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Judicial function” does not include the exercise of rulemaking power by a court.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Legislative function” means the process or act of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>approving, disapproving, enacting, amending, or repealing a law or other measure to set public policy;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>approving or disapproving an appointment;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>proposing or ratifying a constitution or constitutional amendment; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>proposing or ratifying a charter or charter amendment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Meet” means to convene a quorum of a public body to consider or transact public business.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>“Public body” means an entity that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>consists of at least two individuals; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is created by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Maryland Constitution;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a State statute;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a county or municipal charter;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a memorandum of understanding or a master agreement to which a majority of the county boards of education and the State Department of Education are signatories;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>an ordinance;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>a rule, resolution, or bylaw;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>an executive order of the Governor; or</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>an executive order of the chief executive authority of a political subdivision of the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Public body” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>any multimember board, commission, or committee appointed by the Governor or the chief executive authority of a political subdivision of the State, or appointed by an official who is subject to the policy direction of the Governor or chief executive authority of the political subdivision, if the entity includes in its membership at least two individuals not employed by the State or the political subdivision;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any multimember board, commission, or committee that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is appointed by:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>an entity in the Executive Branch of the State government, the members of which are appointed by the Governor, and that otherwise meets the definition of a public body under this subsection; or</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>an official who is subject to the policy direction of an entity described in item A of this item; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>includes in its membership at least two individuals who are not members of the appointing entity or employed by the State; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Maryland School for the Blind.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Public body” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>any single member entity;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any judicial nominating commission;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>any grand jury;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>any petit jury;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the Appalachian States Low Level Radioactive Waste Commission established in § 7–302 of the Environment Article;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>except when a court is exercising rulemaking power, any court established in accordance with Article IV of the Maryland Constitution;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>the Governor’s cabinet, the Governor’s Executive Council as provided in Title 8, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article, or any committee of the Executive Council;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>a local government’s counterpart to the Governor’s cabinet, Executive Council, or any committee of the counterpart of the Executive Council;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>except as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, a subcommittee of a public body as defined in paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>the governing body of a hospital as defined in § 19–301 of the Health – General Article; and</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>a self–insurance pool that is established in accordance with Title 19, Subtitle 6 of the Insurance Article or § 9–404 of the Labor and Employment Article by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a public entity, as defined in § 19–602 of the Insurance Article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a county or municipal corporation, as described in § 9–404 of the Labor and Employment Article.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Quasi–judicial function” means a determination of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a contested case to which Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article applies;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a proceeding before an administrative agency for which Title 7, Chapter 200 of the Maryland Rules would govern judicial review; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a complaint by the Board in accordance with this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Quasi–legislative function” means the process or act of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>adopting, disapproving, amending, or repealing a rule, regulation, or bylaw that has the force of law, including a rule of a court;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>approving, disapproving, or amending a budget; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>approving, disapproving, or amending a contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>“Quorum” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a majority of the members of a public body; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the number of members that the law requires.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-102" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that, except in special and appropriate circumstances:</text> <level label="1"> <text>public business be conducted openly and publicly; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the public be allowed to observe:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the performance of public officials; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the deliberations and decisions that the making of public policy involves.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The ability of the public, its representatives, and the media to attend, report on, and broadcast meetings of public bodies and to witness the phases of the deliberation, policy formation, and decision making of public bodies ensures the accountability of government to the citizens of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The conduct of public business in open meetings increases the faith of the public in government and enhances the effectiveness of the public in fulfilling its role in a democratic society.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except in special and appropriate circumstances when meetings of public bodies may be closed under this title, it is the public policy of the State that the public be provided with adequate notice of the time and location of meetings of public bodies, which shall be held in places reasonably accessible to individuals who would like to attend these meetings.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-103" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and § 3–104 of this subtitle, this title does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a public body when it is carrying out:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an administrative function;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a judicial function; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a quasi–judicial function; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a chance encounter, a social gathering, or any other occasion that is not intended to circumvent this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This title applies to a public body when it is meeting to consider:</text> <level label="1"> <text>granting a license or permit; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a special exception, variance, conditional use, or zoning classification, the enforcement of any zoning law or regulation, or any other zoning matter.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-104" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>If a public body recesses an open session to carry out an administrative function in a meeting that is not open to the public, the minutes for the public body’s next meeting shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a statement of the date, time, place, and persons present at the administrative function meeting; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a phrase or sentence identifying the subject matter discussed at the administrative function meeting.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-105" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>Whenever this title and another law that relates to meetings of public bodies conflict, this title applies unless the other law is more stringent.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-201" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <text>There is a State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-202" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board consists of three members.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At least one of the members shall be an attorney admitted to the Maryland Bar.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Governor shall appoint the members with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>From among the members of the Board, the Governor shall appoint a chair.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a member is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on October 1, 2014.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A member may not serve for more than two consecutive 3–year terms.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-203" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>A majority of the full authorized membership of the Board is a quorum.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall determine the times and places of its meetings.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A member of the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not receive compensation as a member of the Board; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Office of the Attorney General shall provide staff for the Board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-204" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>receive, review, and, subject to § 3–207 of this subtitle, resolve complaints from any person alleging a violation of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>issue a written opinion as to whether a violation has occurred.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall receive and review any complaint alleging a prospective violation of this title as provided under § 3–212 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>study ongoing compliance with this title by public bodies; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>make recommendations to the General Assembly for improvements in this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General and other interested organizations or persons, shall develop and conduct educational programs and distribute educational materials on the requirements of the open meetings law for the staffs and attorneys of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>public bodies;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Maryland Municipal League;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Maryland Association of Counties; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Maryland Association of Boards of Education.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before October 1 of each year, the Board shall submit an annual report to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The report shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>describe the activities of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>describe the opinions of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>state the number and nature of complaints filed with the Board and discuss complaints that reasonable notice of a meeting was not given;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>identify the provisions of this title that the Board has found a public body to have violated and the number of times each provision has been violated;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>identify each public body that the Board has found to have violated a provision of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>recommend any improvements to this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-205" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>Any person may file a written complaint with the Board seeking a written opinion from the Board on the application of this title to the action of a public body covered by this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The complaint shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>identify the public body that is the subject of the complaint;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>describe the action of the public body, the date of the action, and the circumstances of the action; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>be signed by the complainant.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-206" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, on receipt of the written complaint, the Board promptly shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>send the complaint to the public body identified in the complaint; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>request that a response to the complaint be sent to the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The public body shall file a written response to the complaint within 30 days after it receives the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On request of the Board, the public body shall include with its written response to the complaint a copy of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the notice provided under § 3–302 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any written statement made under § 3–305(d)(2)(ii) of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the minutes and any recording made by the public body under § 3–306 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Board shall maintain the confidentiality of the minutes and any recording submitted by a public body that are sealed in accordance with § 3–306(c)(3)(ii) of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If the public body identified in the complaint no longer exists, the Board promptly shall send the complaint to the official or entity that appointed the public body.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The official or entity that appointed the public body shall comply, to the extent feasible, with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If a written response is not received within 45 days after the notice is sent, the Board shall decide the case on the facts before the Board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-207" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall review the complaint and any response.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the information in the complaint and response is sufficient for making a determination, within 30 days after receiving the response the Board shall issue a written opinion as to whether a violation of this title has occurred or will occur.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Board is unable to reach a determination based on the written submissions before it, the Board may schedule an informal conference to hear from the complainant, the public body, or any other person with relevant information about the subject of the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An informal conference scheduled by the Board is not a contested case within the meaning of § 10–202(d) of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Board shall issue a written opinion within 30 days after the informal conference.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Board is unable to render an opinion on a complaint within the time periods specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this section, the Board shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>state in writing the reason for its inability to render an opinion; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>issue an opinion as soon as possible but not later than 90 days after the filing of the complaint.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An opinion of the Board may state that the Board is unable to resolve the complaint.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall send a copy of the written opinion to the complainant and the affected public body.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-208" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board may send to any public body in the State any written opinion that will provide the public body with guidance on compliance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On request, the Board shall provide a copy of a written opinion to any person.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-209" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <text>The opinions of the Board are advisory only.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-210" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <text>Except as provided in § 3–211 of this subtitle, the Board may not require or compel any specific actions by a public body.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-211" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to a public body that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in the Judicial Branch of State government; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>subject to governance by rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Maryland.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Board determines that a violation of this title has occurred:</text> <level label="1"> <text>at the next open meeting of the public body after the Board has issued its opinion, a member of the public body shall announce the violation and orally summarize the opinion; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a majority of the members of the public body shall sign a copy of the opinion and return the signed copy to the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The public body may not designate its counsel or another representative to provide the announcement and summary.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Compliance by a public body or a member of a public body with subsections (b) and (c) of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is not an admission to a violation of this title by the public body; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not be used as evidence in a proceeding conducted in accordance with § 3–401 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If the Board determines that a public body has violated a provision of this title, the Board shall post on the Maryland Open Meetings Act page of the Office of the Attorney General website the name of the public body and the opinion that describes the violation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-212" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>On receipt of an oral or written complaint by any person that a meeting required to be open under this title will be closed in violation of this title, the Board, acting through its chair, a designated Board member, or any authorized staff person available to the Board, may contact the public body to determine the nature of the meeting that will be held and the reason for the expected closure of the meeting.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>When at least two members of the Board conclude that a violation of this title may occur if the closed meeting is held, the person acting for the Board immediately shall inform the public body of the potential violation and any lawful means that are available for conducting its meeting to achieve the purposes of the public body.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The person acting for the Board shall inform the person who filed the complaint under subsection (a) of this section of the result of any effort to achieve compliance with this title under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The person acting for the Board shall file a written report with the Board describing the complaint, the effort to achieve compliance, and the results of the effort.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The filing of a complaint under subsection (a) of this section and action by a person acting for the Board under subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section may not prevent or bar the Board from considering and acting on a written complaint filed in accordance with § 3–205 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-213" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to a public body that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in the Judicial Branch of State government; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>subject to governance by rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Maryland.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each public body shall designate at least one individual who is an employee, an officer, or a member of the public body to receive training on the requirements of the open meetings law.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Within 90 days after being designated under subsection (b) of this section, an individual shall complete a class on the open meetings law.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to a public body that meets in a closed session on or after October 1, 2017.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A public body may not meet in a closed session unless the public body has designated at least one member of the public body to receive training on the requirements of the open meetings law.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, at least one individual designated under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be present at each open meeting of the public body.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If an individual designated under paragraph (2) of this subsection cannot be present at an open meeting of the public body, the public body shall complete the Compliance Checklist for Meetings Subject to the Maryland Open Meetings Act developed by the Office of the Attorney General and include the completed checklist in the minutes for the meeting.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-301" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Open Meetings Requirements"> <text>Except as otherwise expressly provided in this title, a public body shall meet in open session.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-302" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Open Meetings Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Before meeting in a closed or open session, a public body shall give reasonable advance notice of the session.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Whenever reasonable, a notice under this section shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>be in writing;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>include the date, time, and place of the session; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>if appropriate, include a statement that a part or all of a meeting may be conducted in closed session.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A public body may give the notice under this section as follows:</text> <level label="1"> <text>if the public body is a unit of State government, by publication in the Maryland Register;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>by delivery to representatives of the news media who regularly report on sessions of the public body or the activities of the government of which the public body is a part;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>if the public body previously has given public notice that this method will be used:</text> <level label="i"> <text>by posting or depositing the notice at a convenient public location at or near the place of the session; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>by posting the notice on an Internet website ordinarily used by the public body to provide information to the public; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>by any other reasonable method.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A public body shall keep a copy of a notice provided under this section for at least 3 years after the date of the session.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-302.1" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Open Meetings Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, before meeting in an open session, a public body shall make available to the public an agenda:</text> <level label="i"> <text>containing known items of business or topics to be discussed at the portion of the meeting that is open; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>indicating whether the public body expects to close any portion of the meeting in accordance with § 3–305 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If an agenda has been determined at the time the public body gives notice of the meeting under § 3–302 of this subtitle, the public body shall make available the agenda at the same time the public body gives notice of the meeting.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If an agenda has not been determined at the time the public body gives notice of the meeting, the public body shall make available the agenda as soon as practicable after the agenda has been determined but no later than 24 hours before the meeting.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a public body is unable to comply with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section because the meeting was scheduled in response to an emergency, a natural disaster, or any other unanticipated situation, the public body shall make available on request an agenda of the meeting within a reasonable time after the meeting occurs.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A public body is not required to make available any information in the agenda regarding the subject matter of the portion of the meeting that is closed in accordance with § 3–305 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A public body required to make available an agenda under subsection (a) of this section may make available the agenda using a method authorized for giving notice under § 3–302(c) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The method a public body uses for making available an agenda may be different from the method a public body uses for giving notice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent a public body from altering the agenda of a meeting after the agenda has been made available to the public.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-303" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Open Meetings Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Whenever a public body meets in open session, the general public is entitled to attend.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A public body shall adopt and enforce reasonable rules regarding the conduct of persons attending its meetings and the videotaping, televising, photographing, broadcasting, or recording of its meetings.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If the presiding officer determines that the behavior of an individual is disrupting an open session, the public body may have the individual removed.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless the public body or its members or agents act maliciously, the public body, members, and agents are not liable for having an individual removed under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-304" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Open Meetings Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to the Executive and Legislative branches of the State government.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On request and to the extent feasible, a unit that holds a public hearing shall provide a qualified interpreter to assist deaf individuals to understand the proceeding.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A request for an interpreter must be submitted in writing or by telecommunication at least 5 days before the proceeding begins.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The unit shall determine, in each instance, whether it is feasible to provide an interpreter.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-305" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Open Meetings Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>The exceptions in subsection (b) of this section shall be strictly construed in favor of open meetings of public bodies.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to subsection (d) of this section, a public body may meet in closed session or adjourn an open session to a closed session only to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>discuss:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official over whom it has jurisdiction; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>protect the privacy or reputation of an individual with respect to a matter that is not related to public business;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related to the acquisition;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>consider the investment of public funds;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>consider the marketing of public securities;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>consult with counsel to obtain legal advice;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>conduct collective bargaining negotiations or consider matters that relate to the negotiations;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>discuss public security, if the public body determines that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to public security, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the deployment of fire and police services and staff; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the development and implementation of emergency plans;</text> </level> </level> <level label="11"> <text>prepare, administer, or grade a scholastic, licensing, or qualifying examination;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>conduct or discuss an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed requirement that prevents public disclosures about a particular proceeding or matter;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>discuss, before a contract is awarded or bids are opened, a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal, if public discussion or disclosure would adversely impact the ability of the public body to participate in the competitive bidding or proposal process; or</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>discuss cybersecurity, if the public body determines that public discussion would constitute a risk to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>security assessments or deployments relating to information resources technology;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>network security information, including information that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>related to passwords, personal identification numbers, access codes, encryption, or other components of the security system of a governmental entity;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental entity to prevent, detect, or investigate criminal activity; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>related to an assessment, made by or for a governmental entity or maintained by a governmental entity, of the vulnerability of a network to criminal activity; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>deployments or implementation of security personnel, critical infrastructure, or security devices.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A public body that meets in closed session under this section may not discuss or act on any matter not authorized under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless a majority of the members of a public body present and voting vote in favor of closing the session, the public body may not meet in closed session.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before a public body meets in closed session, the presiding officer shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>conduct a recorded vote on the closing of the session; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>make a written statement of the reason for closing the meeting, including a citation of the authority under this section, and a listing of the topics to be discussed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a person objects to the closing of a session, the public body shall send a copy of the written statement to the Board.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The written statement shall be a matter of public record.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A public body shall keep a copy of the written statement for at least 3 years after the date of the session.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>To the extent practicable, a public body shall post online the written statement required to be kept under paragraph (5) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-306" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Open Meetings Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>require any change in the form or content of the Journal of the Senate of Maryland or Journal of the House of Delegates of Maryland; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>limit the matters that a public body may include in its minutes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, as soon as practicable after a public body meets, it shall have minutes of its session prepared.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A public body need not prepare minutes of an open session if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>live and archived video or audio streaming of the open session is available; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the public body votes on legislation and the individual votes taken by each member of the public body who participates in the voting are posted promptly on the Internet.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The information specified under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be deemed the minutes of the open session.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The minutes shall reflect:</text> <level label="i"> <text>each item that the public body considered;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the action that the public body took on each item; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>each vote that was recorded.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a public body meets in closed session, the minutes for its next open session shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a statement of the time, place, and purpose of the closed session;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a record of the vote of each member as to closing the session;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a citation of the authority under § 3–305 of this subtitle for closing the session; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a listing of the topics of discussion, persons present, and each action taken during the session.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>A session may be recorded by a public body.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, the minutes and any recording of a closed session shall be sealed and may not be open to public inspection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The minutes and any recording shall be unsealed and open to inspection as follows:</text> <level label="i"> <text>for a meeting closed under § 3–305(b)(5) of this subtitle, when the public body invests the funds;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for a meeting closed under § 3–305(b)(6) of this subtitle, when the public securities being discussed have been marketed; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>on request of a person or on the public body’s own initiative, if a majority of the members of the public body present and voting vote in favor of unsealing the minutes and any recording.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, minutes of a public body are public records and shall be open to public inspection during ordinary business hours.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A public body shall keep a copy of the minutes of each session and any recording made under subsection (b)(2)(i) or (c)(3)(i) of this section for at least 5 years after the date of the session.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To the extent practicable, a public body shall post online the minutes or recordings required to be kept under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-307" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Open Meetings Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to the following public bodies:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Board of Directors of the Bainbridge Development Corporation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Maryland 9–1–1 Board;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Board of Directors of the Maryland Agricultural and Resource–Based Industry Corporation;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the Board of Directors of the Maryland Clean Energy Center;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the Board of Directors of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the Board of Directors of the Maryland Environmental Service;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>the Maryland Food Center Authority;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>the Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>the Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>the Maryland Stadium Authority;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>the Maryland Transportation Authority;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>the Public Service Commission;</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>the State Board of Elections;</text> </level> <level label="16"> <text>the Maryland Technology Development Corporation;</text> </level> <level label="17"> <text>the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission;</text> </level> <level label="18"> <text>the State Ethics Commission;</text> </level> <level label="19"> <text>the Maryland Aviation Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="20"> <text>the Maryland Department of Transportation, with respect to quarterly public meetings held by the Vision Zero coordinator on the implementation of Vision Zero under § 8–1004 of the Transportation Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A public body specified in subsection (a) of this section shall make publicly available on its website:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each open meeting agenda, together with a summary of any finalized documents, written testimony from the public, and other materials that the public body will vote on at the open meeting:</text> <level label="i"> <text>at least 48 hours in advance of each meeting; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the meeting is being held due to an emergency, a natural disaster, or any other unanticipated situation, as far in advance of the meeting as practicable;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>meeting minutes from the portions of a meeting that were held in open session, not more than 2 business days after the minutes are approved; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>subject to subsections (f) and (g) of this section, live video streaming of each portion of a meeting that is held in open session.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>To the extent practicable, each open meeting agenda shall indicate:</text> <level label="1"> <text>whether the public body intends to adjourn the open session to a closed session; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if applicable, the expected time at which the public body intends to adjourn the open session to a closed session.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The public body shall approve meeting minutes in a timely manner.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each open meeting agenda shall include consideration of the meeting minutes from the most recent meeting.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The requirement under paragraph (2) of this subsection does not apply to the agenda of an emergency meeting of a public body if consideration of the meeting minutes from the most recent meeting is not practicable because of the need to hold an emergency meeting.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The public body shall maintain on its website:</text> <level label="1"> <text>meeting minutes made available under subsection (b) of this section for a minimum of 5 years after the date of the meeting; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except as provided in subsections (f), (g), and (g–1) of this section, a complete and unedited archived video recording of each open meeting for which live video streaming was made available under subsection (b) of this section for a minimum of 1 year after the date of the meeting.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to the Maryland Stadium Authority.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Maryland Stadium Authority meets by telephone conference, the Authority shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>make publicly available on its website live audio streaming of each portion of the meeting that is held in open session; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>maintain on its website a complete and unedited archived audio recording of each meeting for which live audio streaming was made available for a minimum of 1 year after the date of the meeting.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to the Maryland Transportation Authority.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Maryland Transportation Authority is required to provide live video streaming of a meeting only if the meeting is held at:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the headquarters of the Maryland Transportation Authority; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a location where the Maryland Transportation Authority held at least 10 meetings during the immediately preceding calendar year.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g–1"> <text>The Maryland Department of Transportation, with respect to quarterly public meetings held by the Vision Zero coordinator on the implementation of Vision Zero under § 8–1004 of the Transportation Article, shall maintain on its website a complete and unedited archived video recording of the meeting for a minimum of 5 years after the date of the meeting.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Department of Information Technology shall provide the technical staff, support, and equipment necessary to livestream the open meetings of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Maryland Transportation Authority;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the State Board of Elections; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the State Ethics Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>For purposes of this title, a project site visit or educational field tour may not be considered a meeting of a public body listed under subsection (a) of this section if no organizational business is conducted.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent a public body from altering the agenda of a meeting after the agenda has been made available to the public.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>The requirements of this section are in addition to the other requirements of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-401" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Enforcement"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This section does not apply to the action of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>appropriating public funds;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>imposing a tax; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>providing for the issuance of bonds, notes, or other evidences of public obligation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This section does not authorize a court to void an action of a public body because of any violation of this title by another public body.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>This section does not affect or prevent the use of any other available remedies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If a public body fails to comply with § 3–301, § 3–302, § 3–303, § 3–305, or § 3–306(c) of this title, any person may file with a circuit court that has venue a petition that asks the court to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>determine the applicability of those sections;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>require the public body to comply with those sections; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>void the action of the public body.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a violation of § 3–302, § 3–305, or § 3–306(c) of this title is alleged, the person shall file the petition within 45 days after the date of the alleged violation.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a violation of § 3–301 or § 3–303 of this title is alleged, the person shall file the petition within 45 days after the public body includes in the minutes of an open session the information specified in § 3–306(c)(2) of this title.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If a written complaint is filed with the Board in accordance with § 3–205 of this title, the time between the filing of the complaint and the mailing of the written opinion to the complainant and the affected public body under § 3–207(d) of this title may not be included in determining whether a claim against a public body is barred by the statute of limitations set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In an action under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>it is presumed that the public body did not violate any provision of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the complainant has the burden of proving the violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A court may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>consolidate a proceeding under this section with another proceeding under this section or an appeal from the action of the public body;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>issue an injunction;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>determine the applicability of this title to the discussions or decisions of public bodies;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>declare the final action of a public body void if the court finds that the public body willfully failed to comply with § 3–301, § 3–302, § 3–303, or § 3–306(c) of this title and that no other remedy is adequate;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>as part of its judgment:</text> <level label="i"> <text>assess against any party reasonable counsel fees and other litigation expenses that the party who prevails in the action incurred; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>require a reasonable bond to ensure the payment of the assessment; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>grant any other appropriate relief.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may file a petition under this section without seeking an opinion from the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The failure of a person to file a complaint with the Board is not a ground for the court to stay or dismiss a petition.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-402" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Enforcement"> <level label="a"> <text>In accordance with § 3–401 of this subtitle, a public body that willfully meets with knowledge that the meeting is being held in violation of this subtitle is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$250 for the first violation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>$1,000 for each subsequent violation that occurs within 3 years after the first violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>When determining the amount of a fine under subsection (a) of this section, the court shall consider the financial resources available to the public body and the ability of the public body to pay the fine.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="3-501" title_number="3" title_name="Open Meetings Act" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Short Title"> <text>This title may be cited as the Open Meetings Act.</text> </section>