Michigan

Open Meetings Act

Formally: Michigan Open Meetings Act

Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 15.261–15.275

Read the statute →

Sunshine Score: 56/100 (moderate)
56/100

Sunshine Score

56/100
Limited
Methodology v0.1
Advance Notice 10 days, online posting required
Public Comment Required
Closed Sessions 6 permitted categories
Minutes Required
Recording Not required
Remote Participation Allowed
Enforcement Voidable, legislature exempt

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings
10 days
Special Meetings
1 day
Emergency Meetings
0 hours

Online posting: Required

Post notice at least 18 hours before special/rescheduled meeting at principal office and on website; regular meeting schedules posted within 10 days of first meeting

Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — 2/3 vote for emergency items

Public Participation

Public Comment
Required
Written Comment
Not allowed

Time limits: No statutory time limit; the written public comment policy may include time limitations per M.C.L. § 15.263(5).

A person shall be permitted to address a meeting of a public body under rules established and recorded by the public body. Every public body must have a written public comment policy in effect for every meeting. Rules may not require a person to register or provide identifying information as a condition for attendance. M.C.L. § 15.263(5).

Virtual Meetings

Member Remote Participation
Allowed
Counts Toward Quorum
No
Public Remote Comment
Not allowed

Limited remote attendance under MCL 15.263a; permitted for military duty or medical condition. Remote members generally do not count toward quorum unless the body adopts a compliant attendance policy (2023 Act 214, eff. Feb. 13, 2024 expanded provisions for certain retirement system boards).

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required
Yes
Publication Deadline
11 days

Online posting: Not required

Content requirements: date, time, place, members present, all final decisions and votes, roll call if requested by any member (MCL § 15.269)

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required
No
Broadcast Required
No

Enforcement

Violation Effect
Voidable
Max Civil Penalty
$500
Standing to Sue
Any person
Enforcement Body
Circuit Court, Attorney General, Prosecuting Attorney

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

Notes

Michigan uses 18-hour notice for special meetings rather than 24 hours; the 18 hours counts only time the notice is publicly accessible.

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The specific rules for Michigan may differ from this general description. Consult the full statute for details.