Section 3-402 – Penalty
(a) In accordance with § 3–401 of this subtitle, a public body that willfully meets with knowledge that the meeting is being held in violation of this subtitle is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed: (1) $250 for the first violation; and (2) $1,000 for each subsequent violation that occurs within 3 years after the first […]
Section 3-501 – Short Title
This title may be cited as the Open Meetings Act.
Section 3-103 – Scope of Title
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and § 3–104 of this subtitle, this title does not apply to: (1) a public body when it is carrying out: (i) an administrative function; (ii) a judicial function; or (iii) a quasi–judicial function; or (2) a chance encounter, a social gathering, or any other occasion that is not intended to […]
Section 3-104 – Minutes for Closed Session
If a public body recesses an open session to carry out an administrative function in a meeting that is not open to the public, the minutes for the public body’s next meeting shall include: (1) a statement of the date, time, place, and persons present at the administrative function meeting; and (2) a phrase or sentence identifying […]
Section 3-105 – Conflict of Laws
Whenever this title and another law that relates to meetings of public bodies conflict, this title applies unless the other law is more stringent.
Section 3-201 – Established
There is a State Open Meetings Law Compliance Board.
Section 3-202 – Membership
(a) (1) The Board consists of three members. (2) At least one of the members shall be an attorney admitted to the Maryland Bar. (3) The Governor shall appoint the members with the advice and consent of the Senate. (b) From among the members of the Board, the Governor shall appoint a chair. (c) (1) The term of a member is 3 […]
Section 3-203 – Quorum; Meetings; Compensation; Staff
(a) A majority of the full authorized membership of the Board is a quorum. (b) The Board shall determine the times and places of its meetings. (c) A member of the Board: (1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Board; but (2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in […]
Section 3-205 – Complaint
(a) Any person may file a written complaint with the Board seeking a written opinion from the Board on the application of this title to the action of a public body covered by this title. (b) The complaint shall: (1) identify the public body that is the subject of the complaint; (2) describe the action of the public body, […]
Section 3-206 – Receipt of Complaint; Response
(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, on receipt of the written complaint, the Board promptly shall: (1) send the complaint to the public body identified in the complaint; and (2) request that a response to the complaint be sent to the Board. (b) (1) The public body shall file a written response to the complaint within […]