Delaware Senate passes virtual meetings bill

DELAWARE – The Delaware Senate is waiting for a bill to pass that could extend the time that they could meet virtually. Th bill would also allow advisory boards and commissions to hold public virtual meetings. “If you allow people the ability to participate virtually, I think it opens that door up quite a bit more for public participation, and still have that anchor location where the public and other members of the body can participate in person,” said State Senator Stephanie Hansen.

Sen. Stephanie Hansen says this could be just one step towards making public meetings more accessible. “They will be able to then meet virtually should there be no public emergency, no executive order. In that case, public advisory boards are able to meet virtually under this legislation,” said Sen. Hansen.

The senator tells 47ABC that the virtual meetings would have to have an in-person anchor location where people can attend if they choose to do so. “This is an in person location where the public can come. They can participate and there will be people from the public advisory council that are there as well. So some can participate virtually, but there will be an anchor location,” said Sen. Hansen.

Sen. Hansen says that this way, people who might have trouble accessing the internet would still be able to participate in meetings while they’re being broadcasted. “There are some technical limitations and challenges to meeting virtually, and there are some folks that just don’t have broadband access. Or maybe they have access but it’s really kind of spotty, and so there is a percentage of the public that otherwise would not be able to participate in public meetings if it was just solely virtually,” said Sen. Hansen.

The senator says the bill should go to the Delaware House of Representatives by Tuesday, June 23rd. Sen. Hansen says she expects the bill to pass, and that many of her constituents are excited about the possibilities it could bring.