# General Provisions (GGP)

## Title 3. Open Meetings Act

### Subtitle 3. Open Meetings Requirements

#### Section 3-305

(a) The exceptions in subsection (b) of this section shall be strictly construed in favor of open meetings of public bodies.

(b) 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:

  (1) discuss:

    (i) 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

    (ii) any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals;

  (2) protect the privacy or reputation of an individual with respect to a matter that is not related to public business;

  (3) consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related to the acquisition;

  (4) consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State;

  (5) consider the investment of public funds;

  (6) consider the marketing of public securities;

  (7) consult with counsel to obtain legal advice;

  (8) consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation;

  (9) conduct collective bargaining negotiations or consider matters that relate to the negotiations;

  (10) discuss public security, if the public body determines that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to public security, including:

    (i) the deployment of fire and police services and staff; and

    (ii) the development and implementation of emergency plans;

  (11) prepare, administer, or grade a scholastic, licensing, or qualifying examination;

  (12) conduct or discuss an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct;

  (13) comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed requirement that prevents public disclosures about a particular proceeding or matter;

  (14) 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

  (15) discuss cybersecurity, if the public body determines that public discussion would constitute a risk to:

    (i) security assessments or deployments relating to information resources technology;

    (ii) network security information, including information that is:

      (1) related to passwords, personal identification numbers, access codes, encryption, or other components of the security system of a governmental entity;

      (2) collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental entity to prevent, detect, or investigate criminal activity; or

      (3) 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

    (iii) deployments or implementation of security personnel, critical infrastructure, or security devices.

(c) 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.

(d)

  (1) 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.

  (2) Before a public body meets in closed session, the presiding officer shall:

    (i) conduct a recorded vote on the closing of the session; and

    (ii) 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.

  (3) If a person objects to the closing of a session, the public body shall send a copy of the written statement to the Board.

  (4) The written statement shall be a matter of public record.

  (5) A public body shall keep a copy of the written statement for at least 3 years after the date of the session.

  (6) To the extent practicable, a public body shall post online the written statement required to be kept under paragraph (5) of this subsection.

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Md. Code Ann., Gen. Prov. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)