The coalition to modernize the state’s Open Meeting Law by requiring hybrid (in-person and virtual) public meeting met with Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) this week to thank her for leadership in extending the current hybrid meeting law and to urge her to support pending legislation to make the temporary law permanent.  In March, just before the temporary law was due to expire, the Legislature extended the policy until June 30, 2027.  It is now Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2026

The coalition has filed House Bill 3299, An Act to modernize participation in public meetings, sponsored by Rep. Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford), House Chair of the Committee on State Administration and Regulator Oversight.  The new bill would make hybrid public meetings a permanent requirement.

Senator Moore explained that hybrid meetings are important for older adults and those with disabilities who want to be actively involved in state and local government meetings.  Meetings that are often held in the evening or in locations that are not easily accessible are difficult for everyone to attend.  However, failure to remove impediments posed by holding only in-person meetings or video-taped meeting available after the fact, deprive citizens of the basic right to participate in their government on matters that may affect them.