Mississippi

Open Meetings Act

Formally: Mississippi Open Meetings Act

Miss. Code Ann. §§ 25-41-1 to 25-41-17

Read the statute →

Sunshine Score: 53/100 (moderate)
53/100

Sunshine Score

53/100
Limited
Methodology v0.1
Advance Notice 3 days, online posting required
Public Comment Not required, remote allowed
Closed Sessions 5 permitted categories
Minutes Required, online posting required
Recording Not required
Remote Participation Allowed
Enforcement Voidable, legislature exempt

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings
3 days
Special Meetings
1 day
Emergency Meetings
1 hour

Online posting: Required

Email notice with agenda at least 72 hours before meeting or within 1 business day of scheduling (whichever is earlier); special meeting notice posted within 1 hour of being called; state agencies must notify DFA 24 hours before

Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote

Public Participation

Public Comment
Not required
Written Comment
Not allowed

Mississippi Open Meetings Act (Miss. Code § 25-41-1 et seq.) does not require a public comment period. Bodies set their own comment policies. The law ensures the right to attend and observe.

Virtual Meetings

Member Remote Participation
Allowed
Counts Toward Quorum
Yes
Public Remote Comment
Allowed

Allowed under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-5; public bodies may conduct meetings by teleconference or video with quorum members at different locations. Public must have access at one or more specified public locations. Five-day advance notice required.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required
Yes
Publication Deadline
30 days

Online posting: Required

Content requirements: date, time, location, members present, all votes and actions taken

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required
No
Broadcast Required
No

Enforcement

Violation Effect
Voidable
Standing to Sue
Any person, Attorney General
Enforcement Body
Chancery Court, District Attorney, Attorney General

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

← Back to Open Meetings & Public Notice Laws

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