HB 24-1168

House Bill 24-1168, known as the "Equal Access to Public Meetings," requires state and local government bodies to make their public meetings more accessible. By July 1, 2025, these meetings must be live-streamed with audio or video that is recorded and available for people with disabilities. Additionally, important documents must be posted online at least a day before the meeting, and individuals should be able to participate remotely via video conferencing if they lack broadband internet access in their area. The bill also mandates that auxiliary aids or services requested by attendees be provided on time. This ensures equal participation for all citizens, especially those with disabilities, in public meetings. Since it has been signed into law, these requirements will now be implemented as outlined.

Official Summary

The bill requires state and local public bodies (public bodies) to ensure that the following accessibility requirements are implemented by July 1, 2025: Any public meeting at which public business is discussed, formal action may be taken, or recommendations to the governing body of the public body may be discussed (meeting) held by a public body is required to be accessible in real time by live streaming video or audio that is recorded and accessible to individuals with disabilities; A public body is required to post on its website, at least 24 hours before a meeting, any documents that will be distributed during the meeting; For any meeting of a public body during which public testimony will be heard, the public body is required to allow any individual to participate in the meeting and offer public testimony by using a video conferencing platform unless the meeting occurs in a geographic location that lacks broadband internet service; and A public body is required to provide any auxiliary aids or services requested in time for the meeting for which they were requested. A public body may require that a request for auxiliary aids or services to attend a meeting of the public body with the use of the video conferencing platform be made up to 7 days before the date of the meeting. Nothing in the bill prohibits a public body from promulgating rules for the administration of public testimony so long as the rules apply to both in-person and remote testimony, and nothing in the bill requires a public body to provide hardware or software or internet or phone access at an individual's home. The failure of any public body to comply with the applicable requirements of the bill constitutes discrimination on the basis of disability. Any individual who is subjected to a violation is entitled to seek relief as currently provided in law. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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