Marvin Mandel, Governor                       1989

Whereas, All persons should have equal access to public meetings
and records; and

Whereas, There is at present no comprehensive law in the State
prohibiting officials from shrouding in secrecy some deliberations,
decisions, and records that affect the general public; now, therefore,

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 361A be and it is hereby added to the Code of
Public Local Laws of Cecil County (1961 Edition, being Article 8 of
the Code of Public Local Laws of Maryland), title "Cecil County," to
follow immediately after Section 361 thereof, to be under the new
subtitle "Public Information," and to read as follows:

Public Information
361A.

(a)    This act applies to any legislative or administrative body of
Cecil County or any subdivision thereof, including any board, com-
mission, authority, council, agency, committee, or other organization
supported in whole or in part by public funds, or authorized to spend
public funds, and also includes subcommittees or other subordinate
groups of these bodies.

(b)    Except as otherwise provided by law or specified in this
act, all meetings of bodies subject to this act at which there is a
collective decision by a majority of the members of the body, or an
actual vote by a majority of the members of the body upon a motion,
proposed resolution, order or ordinance shall be open to the public.

(c) All meetings required to be open under this act shall be held
at specified times and places of which public notice shall be given as
follows:

(1) Every body subject to this act shall give public notice of the
schedule of regular meetings at the beginning of each calendar or
fiscal year and shall state the regular dates, times, and places of such
meetings.

(2) Public notice shall be given by posting a copy of the notice at

the principal office of the body holding the meeting or, if no such

office exists, at the building in which the meeting is to be held. The

body shall supply copies of the notice of its regular meetings, and of

the notice of any special or rescheduled meeting, to any local news-

paper of general circulation or local radio or television station that

has filed an annual request for a notice.

(3) If an emergency exists requiring immediate action, the fore-
going notice requirements shall not apply, and an emergency meeting
may be held. After any emergency meeting, the body shall give notice
of all actions taken at the emergency meeting by posting and distrib-
uting notices in the same manner as for the scheduling of meetings.

(d) (C) The following are exempted from the provisions of this
act:

(1)     Grand and petit juries.

(2)    Parole and pardon boards.