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

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not explicitly listed in the provided metadata; it depends on standard state law procedures mentioned in the digest (signature date or specified date).

Allowing Staff Members at Virtual Meeting Anchor Locations

This law changes Delaware rules so that a staff member can be physically present at the official meeting spot instead of an elected or appointed leader during virtual meetings.

What This Bill Does

• Amends Title 29 of the Delaware Code regarding how public bodies hold virtual meetings.
• Updates the definition of 'anchor location' to include where members access a virtual meeting.
• Allows at least one staff member or one member of the public body to be physically present at the anchor location.

Who It Names or Affects

• Public bodies in Delaware holding virtual meetings
• Staff members working for those public bodies

Terms To Know

Anchor location

The physical place open to the public where at least one member or staff member attends a virtual meeting.

Public body

A government group that holds meetings under Delaware law.

Limits and Unknowns

• The official text does not specify an exact effective date, only noting it becomes effective upon the Governor's signature or a specified date.
• The bill states 'at least one' person must be present but does not limit how many staff members may attend.

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, Huxtable, Pinkney

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.