Pennsylvania
Sunshine Act
Formally: Pennsylvania Sunshine Act
65 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§ 701–716
Sunshine Score
| Advance Notice | 1 day, online posting required |
|---|---|
| Public Comment | Required, remote allowed |
| Closed Sessions | 6 permitted categories |
| Minutes | Required |
| Recording | Not required |
| Remote Participation | Allowed |
| Enforcement | Voidable, legislature exempt |
Agenda & Notice Requirements
Online posting: Required
Post agenda at least 24 hours before meeting at agency office, meeting site, and on website or social media; publish notice of regular meeting schedules in newspaper; copies available at meeting
Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote
Public Participation
The board or council of a political subdivision or authority shall provide a reasonable opportunity at each advertised regular and special meeting for residents or taxpayers of the political subdivision to comment on matters of concern, official action, or deliberation that are or may be before the board prior to the taking of official action. 65 Pa.C.S. § 710.1.
Virtual Meetings
Allowed under 65 Pa. C.S. (Sunshine Act); members may participate by telephone or videoconference, count toward quorum, and take official action provided all participants can contemporaneously hear and speak with each other. Some municipalities require a physical quorum as a local additional requirement.
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 with individual member votes (65 Pa.C.S. § 712)
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.