D.C. act allowed later meeting access when technology blocked live viewing and hearing

Covered D.C. groups could count meetings as open through live access, or later access when technology blocked both live viewing and hearing. This applied to D.C. government groups covered by open meeting rules. The group had to take reasonable steps to let people watch or hear the meeting. Later access was allowed only if technology prevented both live viewing and hearing, and it had to be offered as soon as reasonably possible. This rule took effect following the Mayor’s April 7, 2025 approval and could last no longer than 90 days.

Open meeting rules did not apply when D.C. Council members met with the Mayor and decided no official action. This covered meetings between D.C. Council members and the Mayor. No official action could be decided at the meeting. This exception took effect following the Mayor’s April 7, 2025 approval and could last no longer than 90 days.

Covered D.C. groups could use an open meeting exception for specific ways to protect against terrorism or other serious public health and safety threats. This applied to covered D.C. groups addressing existing or possible terrorism or other serious dangers to public health and safety. The group could discuss or act on specific protective methods, or hear related briefings. Sharing the details had to be capable of endangering the public or the group. This exception took effect following the Mayor’s April 7, 2025 approval and could last no longer than 90 days.

The act defined which gatherings counted as meetings under D.C. open meeting rules. For covered groups generally, a meeting involved enough members gathering to handle public business, including by phone or online. For the D.C. Council, the definition covered legislative meetings and committee meetings where members voted. Chance or social gatherings did not count unless held to avoid the rules. Press conferences did not count. These definitions took effect following the Mayor’s April 7, 2025 approval and could last no longer than 90 days.