AG’s new open meeting law guide available here

The attorney general’s office on July 1 published a revised “Guide to the Open Meeting Law.”

Attorney General Martha Coakley said the guide “is written for the ease of everyday users for whom the provisions of the [open meeting law] are important.” She adds, however, that the guide “is not the law or the regulations.”

“In the event of any conflict, the language in the law and regulations are controlling,” she said.

Coakley said her office welcomes comments on how the guide may be improved, and updated versions will be posted on her office’s website (www.mass.gov/ag) as changes are made. She advised local officials to make sure they are referring to the latest version.

The Open Meeting Law was revised as part of the Ethics Reform Act last year. The Attorney General’s Office assumed responsibility for enforcement of the open meeting law (M.G.L. Ch. 30A, Sects. 18-25) from the state’s district attorneys on July 1.

The consolidation of enforcement in one statewide office is expected to allow for greater consistency and a single source for the information needed to comply with the law.

A new Division of Open Government, headed by Robert Nasdor, is charged with enforcing the law, implementing the new provisions, and providing guidance to cities and towns as well as other public bodies.

Coakley said her office is “focused on providing educational materials, outreach and training sessions to ensure that all members of the public understand the law.”

For more information, contact the Division of Open Government at (617) 963-2540 or visit www.mass.gov/ago/openmeeting.

• Download the new “Guide to the Open Meeting Law” (768K PDF)