On Wednesday, December 7 at 1:15pm, MACo Winter Conference attendees received an overview of Maryland’s Open Meetings Act Law at the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance Core Class, “Open Meetings.” This class guided public officials in the requirements for providing public notice of the meetings that public bodies hold to conduct public business and for closing meetings when appropriate.

Presenters Ann MacNeille, Assistant Attorney General, Opinions and Advice for the Office of the Maryland Attorney General and John S. Mathias, County Attorney, Frederick County focused on steps that local governments can take to comply with the law’s application to Maryland local government. They discussed new requirements under the Act as of October 1, 2016, such as requirements to make agendas of meetings available at least 24 hours in advance in most cases.  They also discussed some of the cases and complaints that have come before the Open Meetings Compliance Board. They wrapped up by stressing that “a lot of this is common sense.”

This course was open to all conference registrants. It was moderated by the Honorable Amanda Stewart, Commissioner, Charles County.