Massachusetts Legislature Passes Remote Meeting Bill

On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, Governor Baker signed “An Act Relative to Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency” into law. This bill extends remote open meeting measures that had been in place under the “Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, § 20,” until April 1, 2022.

Like its predecessor executive order, which expired on June 15, 2021, the bill allows public bodies to elect to meet remotely. The chair, and quorum of the public body, are not required to be physically present at a specified meeting location.  Public bodies that do elect to conduct open meetings on a remote basis must continue to enable members of the public with visual and audio access to meetings. Additionally, remote meetings that were conducted between June 15, 2021 and the signing of the bill on June 16, 2021 are retroactively held to the requirements of the new bill.

If you have any questions regarding the content of this update, or any other questions regarding the open meeting law, please contact us.