Maine
Freedom of Access Act
Formally: Maine Freedom of Access Act (Open Meetings)
Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 1, §§ 400–414
Sunshine Score
| Advance Notice | 3 days |
|---|---|
| Public Comment | Not required, remote allowed |
| Closed Sessions | 5 permitted categories |
| Minutes | Required |
| Recording | Not required |
| Remote Participation | Allowed |
| Enforcement | Voidable, legislature exempt |
Agenda & Notice Requirements
Online posting: Not required
Notice given in ample time to allow public attendance, disseminated in manner reasonably calculated to notify the general public; no specific number of days mandated
Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote
Public Participation
Maine Freedom of Access Act (1 MRS § 401 et seq.) does not mandate public comment at open proceedings. Bodies set their own participation policies. The law guarantees the right to attend but not the right to speak.
Virtual Meetings
Allowed under 1 M.R.S. § 403-B; body must adopt a written remote participation policy after notice and public hearing. Remote members count toward quorum and may vote. All votes by remote members taken by roll call. Amended through PL 2023, c. 185.
Closed Sessions
Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances
Permitted Categories
Meeting Minutes
Online posting: Not required
Content requirements: date, time, place, members present, all votes taken including individual votes where requested (1 MRS § 407)
Recording & Broadcast
Enforcement
Scope
This law applies to:
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.