New York

Open Meetings Law

Formally: New York Open Meetings Law

N.Y. Pub. Off. Law §§ 100–111

Read the statute →

Sunshine Score: 50/100 (moderate)
50/100

Sunshine Score

50/100
Limited
Methodology v0.1
Advance Notice 3 days, online posting required
Public Comment Not required, remote allowed
Closed Sessions 6 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
3 days
Emergency Meetings
0 hours

Online posting: Required

Post notice at least 72 hours before meeting scheduled at least one week in advance; reasonable time before other meetings; documents for meeting posted online at least 24 hours before; post on website when possible

Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote

Public Participation

Public Comment
Not required
Written Comment
Not allowed

New York Open Meetings Law (Public Officers Law § 100 et seq.) does not mandate public comment at open meetings. Bodies set their own participation policies. NYC Council, many county legislatures, and municipal boards allow comment by local rule, not state law.

Virtual Meetings

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

Allowed under NY Public Officers Law § 103-a (Chapter 56 of Laws of 2022); members may attend by videoconference. A quorum may be present collectively across multiple locations open to the public. Meeting must be recorded and posted within 5 business days. Advisory committee members may attend from non-public locations (2024 amendment).

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required
Yes
Publication Deadline
14 days

Online posting: Required

Content requirements: date, time, place, members present, all motions and votes thereon (Public Officers Law § 106)

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required
No
Broadcast Required
No

Enforcement

Violation Effect
Voidable
Standing to Sue
Any aggrieved person
Enforcement Body
Supreme Court, Committee on Open Government

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 New York may differ from this general description. Consult the full statute for details.