PA Supreme Court Provides Flexibility to Municipal and School Boards under the Sunshine Act with Its Ruling in Coleman v. Parkland School District -Background - A dispute arose regarding the 2021 amendments to the...more
Beginning January 1, 2026, local public agencies across California must comply with several updates to the Ralph M. Brown Act’s (“Brown Act”) open meeting and teleconferencing rules under Senate Bill (“SB”) 707 (2025). The...more
The Iowa Supreme Court recently decided Teig v. Hart, No. 24-0029 (Nov. 25, 2025), which provides much-needed clarity to governmental bodies on the limits to Iowa’s open meetings law. ...more
On November 21, 2025, the Governor signed into law a bill that modifies the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”), and the Local Records Act. Now referred to as Public Act 104-0438 (the “Act”),...more
A recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision expanded the circumstances in which school districts and other public agencies can take official action on items not listed on agendas posted at least 24 hours prior to a public...more
On October 3, 2025, Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) was signed by Governor Newsom and will bring significant changes to many public agencies’ meetings starting in 2026. SB 707 is intended to diversify and increase public engagement...more
The Illinois Gaming Board held its monthly meeting on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. The meeting was hybrid with in-person accessibility at 160 N. LaSalle St., 5th Floor Auditorium and via livestream. Board members present at this...more
The PAC recently issued a non-binding opinion, finding a school district Board President and Vice President did not violate the OMA when they regularly met with the Superintendent, members of the school district’s...more
The deadlines are approaching for the nonrenewal of public school administrative contracts. Administrator contracts are governed by Section 1229 of the Michigan Revised School Code, MCL 380.1229, which contains two crucial...more
The Illinois Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued its tenth binding opinion of the year, finding the Village of Dolton Board of Trustees violated the Open Meetings Act (OMA) by failing to make two Board meetings convenient...more
The Illinois Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued its seventh binding opinion of the year, finding a Village Board of Trustees violated the Open Meetings Act (OMA) by taking improper action to authorize the purchase of a...more
The Illinois Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued a binding opinion, finding a school board violated the Open Meetings Act (OMA) when it improperly discussed school curriculum during closed session....more
On February 13, 2024, Public Act 214 of 2023 (“PA 214”) takes effect, amending Michigan's Open Meetings Act to give some public bodies greater freedom in holding electronic meetings....more
Early this year, the Illinois Appellate Court issued an opinion responding to challenges asserted under the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Appellate Court held that the Village of Oak...more
As we approach the new year, Franczek is pleased to recap the new legislation applicable to K-12 schools that passed in 2023. Below you will find our compilation of this year’s legislative changes. A PDF version of the 2023...more
Franczek P.C. is pleased to announce the publication of its Legislative Update for schools. A PDF version of the 2024 School Law Legislative Update is now available...more
In a recent binding opinion, the PAC found a public body in violation of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) for restricting the content of public comment where a member of the public attempted to discuss the District’s hiring...more
Maybe it was inevitable. Anyone who has seen another state award competitive licenses for a limited number of cannabis operators knew well that Alabama’s process would result in litigation. That was not an indictment of...more
The Illinois Public Access Counselor (PAC) recently issued two non-binding opinions concerning the applicability of Open Meetings Act (OMA) requirements to board committees....more
There is a scene in the fantastic film Wayne’s World (cult classic or blockbuster, I don’t know; I just write blogs about cannabis) where Wayne and Garth are playing street hockey and whenever a car drives down the street...more
Governor Pritzker recently signed into law Public Act 103-0311 (previously HB 2447), which amends two key provisions in the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) effective as of July 28, 2023....more
In a court hearing yesterday in the Montgomery County Circuit Court, it appeared that the staff of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission was prepared to move forward announcing licensees at its meeting on Thursday and that...more
In its recent decision, Hindelang v. City of Grosse Pointe, the Michigan Court of Appeals (“Court”) has offered clarification and some helpful reminders for compliance with the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”). In a case involving...more
Recently, the Public Access Counselor (PAC) issued a new binding opinion concerning the Open Meetings Act (OMA). In the opinion, the PAC determined that three city council members did not violate the OMA when they exchanged...more
Local government actions must comply with the in-person open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act....more