Make Guaranteed Hybrid Public Participation Permanent in Massachusetts
Massachusetts State Legislature
During the pandemic, state and local government allowed for hybrid meetings which included both remote and in-person public participation. Not only did this make government more transparent and accessible, but it removed long-standing barriers to political participation for people with disabilities, parents, seniors, people who cannot drive or afford transportation, and many more.
Common Cause Massachusetts has been working with a coalition of good government, disability rights, and first amendment groups to advocate for these expansions to the Open Meeting Law to be made permanent by supporting "An Act to Modernize Participation in Public Meetings" just re-filed as HD.368 filed by Rep Tony Cabral.
Join us in supporting this legislation which will require - and not simply allow - for municipalities to provide hybrid participation options!
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"An Act to Modernize Participation in Public Meetings" (HD.368 filed by Rep Tony Cabral) would improve equitable access to open meetings by guaranteeing that members of the public can participate in person or remotely.
Guaranteeing multiple methods of attending a meeting maximizes equity and democratic participation. By contrast, meetings conducted exclusively in person or exclusively online inevitably exclude people who want to get involved.
Over the course of the pandemic, many people were able to participate in their local democratic institutions for the first time, thanks to software like Zoom and/or Teams. People with disabilities, people with limited transportation, and people with family caregiving responsibilities depend on remote and hybrid access.
Any bill that advances this session must require - and not simply allow - municipalities to guarantee hybrid access. Every resident in Massachusetts should have the same level of access to their municipal government.