AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VIRTUAL MEETINGS.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify requirements for presence at the anchor location beyond allowing a staff member to attend in lieu of a member.

Act Permitting Staff Presence at Virtual Meeting Anchor Locations

The bill allows a staff member from a public body to attend a virtual meeting's anchor location instead of a member.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the definition of an 'anchor location' in Delaware law to include places where members or staff can access virtual meetings.
• Allows a public body to have a staff member present at the anchor location during virtual meetings if no member is there.

Who It Names or Affects

• Public bodies in Delaware
• Staff members of public bodies

Terms To Know

Anchor Location

A physical place within a public body's area where people can join virtual meetings.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if no one is present at the anchor location.
• It is unclear how this change will affect accessibility and transparency of public meetings.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VIRTUAL MEETINGS.
This Act permits a staff member for the public body to be present at an anchor location in lieu of a member of the public body.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Romer & Rep. K. Williams & Sen. Sokola

Reps. Bolden, K. Johnson, Morrison; Sens. Hoffner, Lockman

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 339

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VIRTUAL MEETINGS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 10002, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 10002. Definitions.

(b) “Anchor location” means the physical location within the geographic jurisdiction of the public body that is open to the public

and at which 1 or more members of a public body attend a virtual meeting.

for the purposes of accessing a virtual meeting of the public body.

Section 2. Amend § 10006A, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 10006A. Open meetings; virtual meetings; reasonable accommodations for members with a disability.

(c) A public body may hold a virtual meeting if all of the following occur:

(8) There is at least 1 member of the public body or a staff member of the public body physically present at the anchor location.

SYNOPSIS

This Act permits a staff member for the public body to be present at an anchor location in lieu of a member of the public body.