Page 143 - 2026 Lozano Smith Brown Act Handbook

SAMPLE REMOTE MEETING SCRIPT FOR
JUST CAUSE EXCEPTION
*
[To be read immediately upon opening of meeting]

Mayor/Board President/Chairperson:

We were informed today that Council Member/Board Member ___________ is unable to attend
the meeting tonight in person due to just cause. Pursuant to Government Code section
54953.8.3, the Council/Board is permitted to allow Council Member/Board Member
___________ to participate in the meeting remotely under these circumstances. This is despite
the matter of remote attendance not being on the published agenda.

[Provide a brief description of the circumstances relating to the members need to attend
remotely. Do not disclose confidential medical information.]

I want to note that because the Council Member/Board Member will be attending remotely,
members of the public will also be able to attend the meeting remotely. Can staff please address
how that can be accomplished?

[Staff to explain remote access by public]

Mayor/Board President/Chairperson: Thank you. Finally, there is one last statutory
requirement in relation to this just cause remote attendance. Before any votes on action items
this evening, Council Member/Board Member ___________ must identify if there are any
individuals 18 years of age or older in the room when voting, and if so, the relationship of that
person to the member.

We will now proceed with our meeting agenda.

*The “just cause” exception is an alternative to traditional teleconferencing and should generally be
used only when there is no ability to do traditional teleconferencing, or traditional teleconferencing is not
feasible. The just cause exception is principally used when the legislative body does not have advance
notice of the need for a member to appear remotely. Public agencies are encouraged to consult legal
counsel when it is known that a member intends to use “just cause” to appear remotely .

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