<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="02" heading="Open Sessions" title_num="13B" subtitle_num="04">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“Commission” includes the Maryland Higher Education Commission, its advisory councils, its committees, and any other public bodies under the authority and acting on behalf of the Maryland Higher Education Commission.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Open session” means a meeting of the Commission that is required to be open to the public pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 5, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Public Attendance.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The general public is invited to attend and observe any open sessions of the Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>A member of the public attending an open session may not participate in the session except when the presiding officer expressly invites public testimony, questions, comments, or other forms of public participation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Disruptive Conduct.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>An individual attending an open session may not engage in any conduct, including but not limited to visual demonstrations such as the display of placards, signs, or banners, that disrupts the session or interferes with the right of members of the public to attend and observe the session.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Authority of the Presiding Officer.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The presiding officer may order an individual who violates Sec. A of this regulation, or who violates any other regulation or resolution concerning the conduct of the open session, to be removed from the session, and may request police assistance to restore order.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The presiding officer may recess the session while order is restored.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>An individual who is asked to leave the session in accordance with these regulations and who refuses to do so may be subject to arrest as provided by law.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Recording, Photographing, and Broadcasting of Open Sessions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A member of the public, including a representative of the news media, may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Record the discussions at an open session using a tape recorder or other recording device if the device used does not create excessive noise that disturbs the open session or other individuals attending the session;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Photograph or videotape the proceedings of an open session using any type of camera if the camera is operated without excessively bright artificial light or excessive noise that disturbs the open session or other individuals attending the session.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>A representative of the news media may broadcast or televise the open session if the equipment used is operated without excessively bright artificial light or excessive noise that disturbs the open session or other individuals attending the session.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>The presiding officer may restrict the movement of an individual who is using a recording device, camera, or broadcasting or televising equipment if the restriction is necessary to maintain the orderly conduct of the open session.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Recordings Not Part of Record.">
    <text>A recording of an open session made by a member of the public, including a representative of the news media, or any transcript derived from a recording, is not a part of the record of the open session.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Education Article, §11-105;State Government Article, §10-507; Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: March 29, 1993 (20:6 Md. R. 584)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>