The District Attorney is responsible for enforcement of the Open Meeting Law as it applies to governmental bodies in her district on the county and municipal level. The Open Meeting Law grants the public the right to be present at all meetings of governmental bodies, at the state, county and municipal level. The law establishes that meetings of governmental bodies must be open to the public and that deliberations and decisions of such bodies must not be conducted in secret. There are occasions when privacy interests or a need for security may outweigh the usual requirement that public policy discussions take place in the open. Therefore, the Open Meeting Law allows for meetings to be held in closed or “executive” sessions in some circumstances.

The Attorney General’s Office is responsible for enforcement of the Open Meeting Law as it relates to state governmental bodies. For questions related to enforcement of the law as it applies to state boards contact the Attorney General’s Office.

Specific questions about how the Open Meeting Law applies to particular situations may be directed to the Office of the Northwestern District Attorney. See "Protocol for Investigating Open Meeting Law Complaint" (pdf) below. Questions regarding what action a board must take to follow the Open Meeting Law will be accepted over the telephone. Questions in writing or by telephone may be directed to:

One Gleason Plaza
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-9225

13 Conway Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 774-3186