Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: Does the student government at my public school have to abide by my state's open meetings laws? A: Maybe. Open meetings laws vary by state, and most courts haven’t specifically ruled on whether state open meetings laws apply… Continue reading Do open meetings laws apply to public school student governments?
Note: As most states have never specifically ruled on the applicability of open meetings laws to student government meetings, the following state-by-state analysis represents the Student Press Law Center's best judgment of how a court might decide the issue.
A state House bill as well as a lawsuit are both trying to make Michigan public university governing boards subject to the state's open meetings law.
Two newspapers have filed a lawsuit against the University of Michigan Board of Regents, alleging the elected body routinely violates the state's Open Meetings Act when it meets for "informal" closed-door meetings to discuss issues about the institution.
A mother sued her sons’ Ohio school district last week after the Board of Education voted for an interim superintendent without adequate notice to the public.
The Delaware House of Representatives is considering a bill that could end exemptions for the University of Delaware and Delaware State University under the state’s public records and open meeting laws.
A bill that would require the South Dakota High School Activities Association comply with open meetings and public records laws to has passed the state Senate and is now in the hands of the House.
Legislators won’t support a bill that would allow the University of Nebraska to keep candidates for top positions confidential except a single finalist.
Florida lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow university direct-support organizations, such as foundations, to meet behind closed doors to discuss private donations and research strategies.
Just weeks after Chaffey College administrators publicly rebuked student government for holding an illegally closed meeting, reporters at the school say rumors abound of another secret meeting held by Associated Students of Chaffey College.