MDHHS modifies attendance limits; counties should review OMA requirements
Changes to how county and other public boards hold public meetings will result now that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has modified attendance restrictions in its COVID-19 health orders.
The revisions, made Thursday afternoon and carrying immediate effect, would have the following effects on meetings governed by the state's Open Meetings Act:
- Remove restrictions that would limit the number of people to 25 at a public meeting being held under the OMA
- Now that the blanket exemption for holding meetings remotely is expiring, meetings of public bodies can be held remotely only in certain circumstances, including where a state of emergency or state of disaster is declared
- Public bodies that have NOT declared a state of emergency, meeting in-person may now be required to conduct public business in accordance with the OMA
- Participants at in-person public meetings are required to comply with other provisions in the order, including wearing masks and limiting the number of people at the meeting based on the venue size
For the latest COVID news affecting county government, visit MAC's Resources Page.