New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey S4116: Public meetings, certain-require public participation be allowed
Status: Passed one chamber, June 30, 2026
Requires public participation be allowed as component of certain public meetings.
What the bill says
An Act requiring public participation be allowed as a component of certain public meetings and amending P.L.1975, c.231. 1. Section 7 of P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-12) is amended to read as follows: 7. a. Except as provided by subsection b. of this section all meetings of public bodies shall be open to the public at all times. Nothing in [this act] [ADDED: P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.)] shall be construed to limit the discretion of a public body to permit, prohibit, or regulate the active participation of the public at any meeting, except that a municipal governing body [ADDED: , a board of.
From the committee substitute text, June 1, 2026:
An Act requiring public participation be allowed as a component of certain public meetings and amending P.L.1975, c.231. 1. Section 7 of P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-12) is amended to read as follows: 7. a. Except as provided by subsection b. of this section all meetings of public bodies shall be open to the public at all times. Nothing in [this act] [ADDED: P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.)] shall be construed to limit the discretion of a public body to permit, prohibit, or regulate the active participation of the public at any meeting, except that a municipal governing body [ADDED: , a board of county commissioners, any board, commission, or entity of, or created by, a board of county commissioners,] and a board of education shall be required to set aside a portion of every meeting of the [municipal governing body or board of education,] [ADDED: respective entity] the length of the portion to be determined by the [municipal governing body or board of education] [ADDED: respective entity] , for public comment on any [governmental or school district] issue that a member of the public feels may be of concern to the residents of the [municipality or school district] [ADDED: respective entity] . b. A public body may exclude the public only from that portion of a meeting at which the public …