H.B. 503 Summary

• Allows boards to conduct remote public meetings using interactive conference technology without requiring board members to be at public locations, provided at least one public meeting site is maintained for in-person attendance and testimony.

• Requires remote meetings to provide public notice of at least one in-person location, instructions for remote video/audio viewing, and methods for remote testimony; boards must record meetings when practicable and post recordings until official minutes are published.

• Maintains existing option for in-person meetings at multiple public sites connected by interactive conference technology, with automatic one-hour recess if audio communication is lost (instead of automatic termination).

• Permits boards to collect names and contact information from in-person attendees for contact tracing purposes when a governor has declared a state of emergency for a contagious illness and the board reasonably believes the threat continues.

• Requires interactive conference technology to be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including compatibility with screen reader technology, in accordance with federal accessibility standards.