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 […]
Section 3-207 – Review and Written Opinion by Board
(a) (1) The Board shall review the complaint and any response. (2) If the information in the complaint and response is sufficient for making a determination, within 30 days after receiving the response the Board shall issue a written opinion as to whether a violation of this title has occurred or will occur. (b) (1) If the Board is unable […]
Section 3-208 – Distribution of Opinions
(a) The Board may send to any public body in the State any written opinion that will provide the public body with guidance on compliance with this title. (b) On request, the Board shall provide a copy of a written opinion to any person.
Section 3-209 – Opinions Are Advisory Only
The opinions of the Board are advisory only.
Section 3-210 – Limit on Authority of Board
Except as provided in § 3–211 of this subtitle, the Board may not require or compel any specific actions by a public body.
Section 3-211 – Announcement of Violation; Summary of Opinion
(a) This section does not apply to a public body that is: (1) in the Judicial Branch of State government; or (2) subject to governance by rules adopted by the Court of Appeals. (b) If the Board determines that a violation of this title has occurred: (1) at the next open meeting of the public body after the Board has […]
Section 3-212 – Complaint Process for Prospective Violation
(a) On receipt of an oral or written complaint by any person that a meeting required to be open under this title will be closed in violation of this title, the Board, acting through its chair, a designated Board member, or any authorized staff person available to the Board, may contact the public body to determine […]
Section 3-213 – Required Training
(a) This section does not apply to a public body that is: (1) in the Judicial Branch of State government; or (2) subject to governance by rules adopted by the Court of Appeals. (b) Each public body shall designate at least one individual who is an employee, an officer, or a member of the public body to receive training […]