<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 14.01.01.03" title_num="14" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="01" heading="Open Meetings.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Public Attendance.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The general public is invited to attend and observe an open session of the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A member of the public attending an open session may not participate in the session, except when:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Board expressly invites public testimony, questions, comments, or other forms of public participation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Public participation is otherwise authorized by law or regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Chair, or the Chair’s designee, may extend or waive any time requirement in this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Public Comments. A member of the public may provide oral public comment and written public comment in accordance with Regulation .05 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Disruptive Conduct.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An individual attending an open session of the Board may not engage in any conduct, including visual demonstrations such as waving of placards, signs, or banners, that disrupts the session or that interferes with the right of members of the public to attend and observe the session.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Restoring Order. The presiding officer or Chair may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Order an individual who persists in conduct prohibited by §C(1) of this regulation, or who has violated any other regulation concerning the conduct of the open session, to be removed or disconnected from the session, and may request police assistance to restore order; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Recess the session while order is restored.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>