#Middlebury #COVID19
First Selectman Edward B. St. John’s assistant, Barbara Whitaker, sent out the following information about a bill passed by the Connecticut House of Representatives that changes remote meeting requirements put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, the House of Representatives passed HB 6448 Access to Local Government, the Modernization of Local Government Operations, Regional Councils of Governments and the Provision of Outdoor Dining. The municipal impact of HB 6448 centered around remote meetings, how remote meetings apply to town meetings, retention of records, FOIA compliance as of right:
- There is no longer a mandate for certain boards and commissions to hold remote or hybrid meetings. Earlier versions mandated hybrid meetings for certain boards and commissions.
- Towns and cities may hold in-person, remote only or hybrid meetings. Each board or commission has the discretion as to how it plans to conduct its business.
- If a municipal board or commission holds a remote or hybrid meeting, all FOIA laws will apply, including the requirement to make the remote meeting available to the public to view, listen and copy no later than seven days after the meeting and the board or commission will be required to be retain the electronic record for no more than 45 days.
- Boards or commissions will have to provide at least 48 hours notice to members of the board or commission that the meeting is going to be held solely or in part by means of electronic equipment.
