The Office of Open Records webpage about Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act was updated recently.

We added four new sections:

1. What’s considered deliberation?
2. Can agency members participate in a meeting via telephone or video conference?
3. Can official action be taken at a closed meeting?
4. Can agency members discuss agency business via email and/or social media?

And made noteworthy updates to three sections:

1. Can the public comment during public meetings?
2. Can public meetings be recorded?
3. Are there penalties for violating the Sunshine Act?

We also clarified that advance public notice is required for agency committee meetings, and that published notice must be in paid newspapers of general circulation (in addition to being posted on site).

The OOR does not have enforcement authority over the Sunshine Act, but Section 1310(a)(3) of the Right-to-Know Law authorizes (and in fact requires) the OOR to provide training on the Act. If you’re interested in training about the Sunshine Act and/or the Right-to-Know Law, please let us know.