CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – On Friday, the West Virginia State Senate passed a bill that would require county boards of education to stream meetings live on their website.
Senate Bill 144, introduced by Senator Rollan Roberts (R-Raleigh), mandates that each county board’s meetings must be open to the public, with live audio and video broadcasts available on the board’s website.
The recordings of these meetings should also be accessible online. The bill allows meetings to continue during technical interruptions in the live broadcast.
Additionally, the county board may establish reasonable rules for attendance and public participation, ensuring equal treatment for those addressing the school board on adopted policies.
The bill exempts executive sessions from these requirements.
The bill requires a draft of meeting minutes, including votes by each board member, to be posted on the website within two business days of a public board meeting.
Once approved, these minutes must remain on the website for at least one year after the meeting.
The bill was passed in the Senate last session but did not get passed in the House.
Senate Bill 144 now goes to the House of Delegates for consideration.