Open Meetings Act

Open Meetings Act Overview

Maryland’s Open Meetings Act is a statute that promotes government transparency by requiring state and local public bodies to:

• Hold their meetings in public,
• ​Provide adequate notice of meetings to the public, and
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Allow public inspection of meeting minutes​

While most meetings must be conducted openly, the Act does permit public bodies to discuss certain sensitive topics in confidential sessions. The Act aims to increase public trust in government, ensure accountability, and enhance citizens' ability to participate in democratic processes.

Compliance and Oversight

Open Meetings Compliance Board

The Open Meetings Compliance Board is an independent state entity that:

• Consists of three members appointed by the Governor
• Issues advisory opinions in response to written complaints about alleged violations of the Act
• Holds an annual meeting in August or September, with special meetings as needed

Click he​re to visit the Board’s webpage

Office of the Attorney General

While not part of the Compliance Board, the Office of the Attorney General:

• Provides administrative staff and legal advice to the Compliance Board
• Publishes the Board's opinions and notices on the OAG website
• Offers resources and guidance on Open Meetings Act compliance

Resources and Information

General Information

• ​Open Meetings Act Quick Guide​
• Online Class on the Open Meetings Act​ (Updated September 2018)
• ​​​Outline of Open Meetings Act issues - PDF
• How to Submit a Complaint​​
• Open Meetings Act ​Manual (Comprehensive guide)​

For Public Bodies

• Meeting Compliance Checklist - PDF(Revised October 2018)
• ​Statement for Closing ​a Meeting - PDF (Effective Oct. 1, 2018)
  • With​ Instructions - PDF
  • Ex​ample - PDF
• Template for Closed Session Summary - PDF
• Meeting Rules - PDF
• Training Requirements for Public ​Bodies​
• ​​Responding to Complaints​
  • Response Procedures
  • ​Procedures for Public Bodies in Violation​​ - PDF

Legal References

The full text of the Open Meetings Act can be found in §§3-101 through 3-501 of the General Provisions Article:

• Maryland General Assembly​ - PDF (See §§3-101 through 3-501 of the General Provisions Article)
• Westlaw
• Lexis​Nexis​ (See Title 3 of the General Provisions Article)

Contact Information

For questions or information requests:

Rachel Simmonsen

Office of the Attorney General​
200 St. Paul Place​​
Baltimore, MD 21202​​

Phone: 410-576-6344

Email: [email protected]