Back to News

Sunshine Act Amended to Include New Executive Session

Published on

January 10, 2019

January 10, 2019

On October 24, 2018, Governor Tom Wolf expanded municipalities’ ability to conduct executive sessions that are closed to the public when he approved the Act of October 24, 2018, P.L. 1144, No. 156.  This Act amends the law commonly known as the Sunshine Act or Open Meeting Law by amending § 708(a).  This Section relates to executive sessions and §§ 708(a) relates specifically to executive sessions which are permissible.  An executive session is defined as the deliberation of a public body which need not occur in an open meeting.  Previous to October 24, 2018 there were only six (6) appropriate reasons for an executive session.  The Act signed by Governor Wolf on October 24, 2018 amends § 708(a) of the Sunshine Act creating an additional permissible reason for an executive session under the Sunshine Act.  This Section, now known as § 708(a)(7), states that a municipality may hold an executive session for an additional reason as follows:

“(7) to discuss, plan or review matters and records that are deemed necessary for emergency preparedness, protection of public safety and security of all property in a manner that if disclosed would be reasonably likely to jeopardize or threaten public safety or preparedness or public protection.”

The Act as adopted does not appear to provide definitions for “emergency preparedness, protection of public safety and security of all property” and therefore ultimately these terms will have to be interpreted and defined by the Courts in the opinions which they issue under this Act.  However at this time, the plain meaning of these words can be used in order to interpret this new ground for executive sessions and therefore executive sessions would be permissible for any meeting relating to emergency preparedness or protection of public safety and/or security of all property if disclosure of the substance of the meeting would be reasonably likely to jeopardize or threaten public safety or preparedness or public protection.

As stated in § 708(b) an executive session may be held during an open meeting, at the conclusion of an open meeting, or may be announced for a future date.  The reason for holding the executive session must be announced at the open meeting immediately previous to the executive session or subsequent thereto.  Lastly, as stated in § 708(c), official action resulting from an executive session shall occur at an open meeting.


Related News

View More News
News Alert
May 16, 2025

Pennsylvania House Bill 1960 Proposes Referendum Requirement for Large Warehouse Projects

This legislative session, lawmakers have introduced a new effort that could further complicate and delay the approval process...

Learn More
Press Release
May 12, 2025

Barley Snyder Attorneys Rebecca Shanaman and Katelyn Rohrbaugh selected as Central Penn Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award Winners

For Immediate Release York, Pa. – Barley Snyder is proud to announce that attorney Rebecca M. Shanaman has been named ...

Learn More
Press Release
April 22, 2025

Barley Snyder Attorney Martin Siegel Reappointed to PA Department of Environmental Protection’s Sewage Advisory Committee for Third Consecutive Term

For Immediate Release York, Pa. – Barley Snyder is pleased to announce that Martin R. Siegel has been reappointed to t...

Learn More

Other Upcoming Events

View All Upcoming Events
Jun
03
7:30 am
-
12:00 pm
event
Location

Wake Up With Barley – A Morning on Real Estate 2025

Learn More

Get in Touch

Our attorneys, paralegals and staff look forward to hearing from you. Please reach out to let us know how we can help.

Get In Touch
RECOGNIZED IN
Super Lawyers
Best Law Firms US News
Best Lawyers