The committee voted to recommend publication of a draft regulation that would require local boards of education to hold regular meetings in person, with limited exemptions, and to adopt a written public-comment policy.

Mr. Hans (presenter) told the committee the draft adds parameters that local boards shall meet in person for regular meetings to conduct official business and to permit reasonable public observation. The requirement allows exemptions for exceptional circumstances such as severe weather, building issues or public-health emergencies, and it does not require in-person convening for closed sessions. The draft also requires local boards to adopt a clearly written policy that specifies procedures for public comment, including processes for requesting to speak and any appeal procedures for denied requests.

Committee members asked about implementation timing and enforcement. The presenter and committee agreed that once regulations are adopted the LEA should adopt a local policy at the next reasonable opportunity; the transcript notes the committee discussed adding a specific timeframe but did not specify one in the draft. One member asked how enforcement would work; staff said enforcement would follow the standard appeals process under COMAR and state law to the state board.

The motion to publish the draft regulation was moved and seconded and passed unanimously. The regulation will be published for public comment and returned to the full board with any comments and proposed edits.