Open Meetings Laws
Key Provisions of New York’s Open Meetings Law
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Scope and Purpose: The OML mandates that meetings of public bodies be conducted openly to foster transparency and public trust.
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Definition of Public Body: Entities consisting of two or more members, requiring a quorum to conduct public business, including state and local agencies, municipalities, school boards, and their committees and subcommittees. NYC+8SUNY+8Hodgson Russ+8
Meeting Requirements:
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Open Access: All meetings must be open to the public, except for executive sessions.
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Public Notice: Public notice of meetings scheduled at least one week in advance must be given to the news media and must be conspicuously posted in one or more designated public locations at least 72 hours before the meeting. Public notice of every other meeting must be given to the news media and conspicuously posted within a reasonable time before the meeting.
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Minutes: Minutes must be recorded and made available to the public within two weeks of the meeting. New York State Authorities Budget Office+5SUNY+5Office of the Professions+5
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Executive Sessions:
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Purpose: Closed sessions permitted for specific matters (e.g., litigation, personnel issues).
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Procedure: Requires a majority vote during an open meeting, stating the specific reason for the executive session. New York Coalition for Open Government
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Videoconferencing: Public bodies may conduct meetings via videoconference, ensuring public access at any location where a member participates. New York City Charter School Center+2New York State Authorities Budget Office+2Office of the Professions+2
Public Participation: While the OML ensures the right to attend and observe meetings, it does not guarantee the right to speak or participate. New York Coalition for Open Government+5New York City Charter School Center+5DMLP+5