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Board supports extending teleconference flexibilities under Bagley-Keene through 2030
Summary
The Board voted to support SB 470, which would extend two teleconference options created in 2023 under the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act through Jan. 1, 2030, maintaining hybrid meeting options for state bodies.
The Board of Behavioral Sciences voted to support Senate Bill 470 (Laird), a measure to extend until Jan. 1, 2030, two teleconferencing options for state bodies that were enacted in 2023 as amendments to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act.
Board staff explained that the 2023 changes created two hybrid/teleconference options that ease pre-COVID requirements (which had required public notice of every teleconference location and physical public access at each site). The options currently set to sunset on Jan. 1, 2026, allow: (1) hybrid meetings where the public can observe and participate via a platform and at least one member is physically present at a designated location while a majority of members must be physically present at the same location; and (2) an advisory/committee option allowing remote participation while preserving a primary physical meeting location for public access.
Roseanne said the board and its advisory committees have used the hybrid options to increase participation and reduce travel burdens. "Offering both in-person and virtual meeting options via Webex has seemed to lead to increased engagement," she said. Several board members moved and seconded support for the bill, and the motion passed by roll call.
The board recorded unanimous support and instructed staff to monitor the bill’s progress.
