As previously reported by Conduit Street, legislation passed in 2013 requires public bodies to designate one individual who is an employee, officer, or member of the public body to receive training on the requirements of Maryland’s open meetings law.  The deadline for the designation and training requirements is April 1.

While most county public bodies have already complied with the designation and training requirements, this article provides instructions on how to comply for those public bodies that have not yet done so.

DESIGNATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL TO RECEIVE OPEN MEETINGS TRAINING

Once a public body has designated an individual to receive the training, the public body must forward the name of the designated individual to the Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board.  That can be done by an e-mail to OpenGov@oag.state.md.us, with a  subject line specifying  “Open Meetings training designee(s) of [name of  public body].”

OPEN MEETINGS TRAINING REQUIREMENT

Because of the proximity to the training deadline, the only way for a newly designated individual to complete the training is through 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.  The  online class is available here , and the designated individual can print out a certificate of completion. Public bodies should retain (and not send to the Board) records that the training has occurred.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the designation and training HB 139 or its requirements, please contact Les Knapp (lknapp@mdcounties.org / 410.269.0043) at MACo.

Open Meeting Compliance Board Instructions on the Designation and Training Requirements