HB 6641 Summary

• Permits legal notices previously required in daily newspapers to be published in weekly newspapers or posted on municipal websites instead, effective October 1, 2021.

• Allows public agency meetings (except executive sessions) to be held remotely via electronic equipment or simultaneously in-person and remote, with public participation opportunities, and requires meeting minutes and recordings be posted online within seven days.

• Enables town meetings to be conducted remotely or hybrid, and allows municipal fee payments (clerk fees, vital statistics registrations) and applications (tax appeals, building permits, foreclosure registrations) to be submitted electronically via municipal websites.

• Allows various municipal hearings and proceedings (assessment appeals, water pollution control authority hearings, building appeals) to be conducted in-person or by electronic equipment, with notices delivered by email.

• Effective date: October 1, 2021, with amendments to 29 general statute sections and creation of one new section governing electronic communications for municipal services.