Act 393-Open Meetings via Electronic Means

Act 393 of the 2023 Regular Session amended Louisiana's Open Meetings law in two different ways:

1. OPTIONAL: To permit eligible public bodies to conduct its open meetings so attendees, regardless of disability status, may participate via electronic means (e.g., videoconference or teleconference), except for the presiding officer.
2. MANDATORY: To provide electronic or alternate participation in open meetings, upon request, on an individualized basis as an ADA accommodation for people with disabilities.

STATE AGENCIES:

In order to implement the above provisions, state agencies are required to promulgate rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. Sample templates are provided below to assist agencies:

• Eligible Agency
• Eligible Agency (Strictly advisory, focus on disability issues or assist military families)
• Ineligible Agency

For further assistance, please refer to and contact the Office of State Registrar.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:

If you are an individual with a disability, or their designated caregiver, and would like to attend an open meeting via electronic means, please submit a request to the state agency conducting the meeting. The contact person to whom the request should be submitted is generally published on the meeting agenda. If not listed, please refer to the Agency ADA Coordinator Directory located at https://www.doa.la.gov/doa/office-of-state-ada-coordinator/. 

Any complaints regarding noncompliance should be directed to the Louisiana Attorney General's office and/or the District Attorney for the parish in which the open meeting was held.