Public Bodies Required to Allow Photographing, Recording and Broadcasting of Public Meetings

The Legislature amended Open Meetings Law §103 to confirm judicial decisions concerning photographing and recording open meetings of public bodies.  In short, the courts determined that anyone may record open meetings, so long as use of a recording device is not disruptive or obtrusive.  Public bodies are now required by law to allow meetings to be photographed, broadcast, webcast or otherwise recorded and/or transmitted by audio or video means.  The new provision also states that public bodies may adopt reasonable rules governing the use of cameras and recording devices during open meetings, in which case such rules must be conspicuously posted and provided to those in attendance upon request.