Open Meetings Law

Sunshine Score

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Online posting: Required

Written notice with agenda at least 24 hours before meeting (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays); posted at principal office, in official journal, or on website

Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote

Public Participation

Each public body shall allow a public comment period prior to action on each agenda item on which a vote is to be taken. The governing body may adopt reasonable rules and restrictions. School boards are governed separately by R.S. 42:15, which requires per-item comment before each agenda item. R.S. 42:14(D).

Virtual Meetings

La. R.S. § 42:5(B) and § 42:14 require physical presence; remote participation violates the open meetings law except for members with ADA-recognized disabilities (R.S. § 42:17.2.1) and for certain statewide multi-jurisdictional public bodies (R.S. § 42:17.2). General local bodies must meet in person.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

• Personnel
• Pending Litigation
• Real Property
• Labor Negotiations
• Security
• Economic Development

Meeting Minutes

Online posting: Required

Content requirements: date, time, place, members present/absent, all motions/proposals/votes with individual member votes (LSA-RS 42:7)

Recording & Broadcast

Enforcement

Scope

This law applies to:

• City
• County
• School District
• Special District

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Accessibility & Language Access

ADA accessibility: ADA Title II applies to all public meetings. The state statute does not add requirements beyond federal law; reasonable accommodations must be provided on request.

Language access: No statutory language-access mandate beyond federal Civil Rights Act Title VI obligations for recipients of federal funds.

Sources & References

• Full text of law →