COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST 

FOR MEETINGS SUBJECT TO THE MARYLAND OPEN MEETINGS ACT * 

 

Name of public body Date of Meeting:_________________ 

 

1. Did you give “reasonable advance notice” and keep a copy or screenshot? 
2. Did you make an agenda available when notice was posted, or, if not yet determined, 
as soon as practicable, but at least 24 hours before the meeting? 
3. Did you make arrangements for the public to attend? 
4. Is someone prepared to keep minutes in writing or, otherwise, to run the equipment for 
minutes in the form of live and archived video or audio streaming? 
5. If part of this meeting might be closed to the public, have you first: 


 Made sure that the public body designated a member to take training in the 
Act? (eff. 10/1/17) 

 Made sure that the topic to be discussed falls entirely within one or more of 
the 14 “exceptions” that allow the closed session? (see over for the list) 

 Given notice of the open meeting to be held right before the closed session, 
so that the presiding officer can hold the required public vote to close? 

 Made sure that the initial open meeting will be attended by a member 
designated to take training in the Act, and, if a designated member cannot 
attend, made sure that the public body is ready to complete this compliance 
checklist at the open meeting and keep it to attach to the minutes? (eff. 
10/1/17) 

 Equipped the presiding officer to prepare a written statement with the 
required disclosures? (for a model form with instructions, go to 
http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/OpenGov/Openmeetings/
default.aspx ) 

 Equipped the presiding officer to limit the closed session discussion to the 
exceptions and topics cited on the written closing statement? 

 Arranged for closed-session minutes to be kept and adopted as sealed? 

 Equipped someone in the closed session to keep a record of each item of 
information that must be disclosed in the minutes of the next open meeting? 
(for the list, see the model closing statement). 

 For a meeting recessed to hold a closed administrative session, arranged to 
disclose, in the minutes of the next open meeting, the date, time, and place, 
persons present, and subjects discussed? 

6. Have you arranged for the preparation, the adoption as soon as practicable, and posting 
online if practicable, of minutes of the open meeting, including summaries of any prior 
closed sessions, and this form (when required), completed on this side? 


 

*This checklist is designed for general use as well as for use at open meetings of public bodies 
that hold closed meetings on or after 10/1/2017, when a member designated for training cannot 
attend the initial open meeting. See GP § 3-213(d). Like the earlier checklists, this checklist 
gives general guidance, does not guarantee “compliance” with every provision of the Open 
Meetings Act, and will be revised occasionally. 

 


STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO CLOSE SESSION 

(THE FOURTEEN “EXCEPTIONS”) 

General Provisions Article § 3-305(b) 

 

(1) To discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, 
compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an appointee, 
employee, or official over whom this public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel 
matter that affects one or more specific individuals; 

(2) To protect the privacy or reputation of an individual with respect to a matter not related to 
public business; 

(3) To consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly 
related to the acquisition; 

(4) To consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to 
locate, expand, or remain in the State; 

(5) To consider the investment of public funds; 

(6) To consider the marketing of public securities; 

(7) To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; 

(8) To consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential 
litigation; 

(9) To conduct collective bargaining negotiations or consider matters that relate to the 
negotiations; 

(10) To discuss public security, if the public body determines that public discussion would 
constitute a risk to the public or to public security, including: (i) the deployment of fire 
and police services and staff; and (ii) the development and implementation of emergency 
plans; 

(11) To prepare, administer, or grade a scholastic, licensing, or qualifying examination; 

(12) To conduct or discuss an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct; 

(13) To comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed requirement that 
prevents public disclosures about a particular proceeding or matter; 

(14) To discuss, before a contract is awarded or bids are opened, a matter directly related to a 
negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal, if public discussion or 
disclosure would adversely impact the ability of the public body to participate in the 
competitive bidding or proposal process.