Page 153 - BrownActHandbook

GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING ORDERLY LEGISLATIVE
BODY MEETINGS

GENERAL RULE OF CONDUCT FOR LEGISLATIVE BODY MEETINGS:
All legislative body meetings and hearings shall be conducted in an orderly, efficient manner,
without willful disruption by any person(s) in attendance. These guidelines apply to all
legislative body meetings and hearings, whether conducted by the legislative body or by a
designee of the legislative body such as an administrative panel, and whether conducted in
closed or open session.

PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH DISRUPTION:
In order to prevent disruption, the legislative body has the right to request that any person
immediately stop the following conduct: (1) willfully disrupting a meeting, (2) interrupting a
person who is addressing the legislative body, or (3) preventing the legislative body from
attending to the purpose of a meeting. “Disrupting” is defined as “engaging in behavior during a
meeting of a legislative body that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the
orderly conduct of the meeting.”

A. Initial Disruption. The chairperson of the meeting or hearing should immediately address
the person, stating the following (or similar admonition):
“Excuse me, your actions are having the effect of disrupting this meeting [or hearing]. I
am asking you to immediately stop [specify objectionable behavior, such as shouting, or
interrupting, etc.] so that we can continue with the business of this meeting.”

B. Second Warning. If a person refuses to stop the objectionable behavior, the chairperson
should repeat the request to stop and emphasize that the person will be asked to leave if the
behavior continues. If the person disrupting the meeting is attending online, the person should be
told that the person’s audio and video participation into the meeting will be turned off. It should
also be stated that the meeting or hearing will continue in the person’s absence after he/she
leaves.

The following is appropriate for in person disruption:
“I must repeat that your actions are disruptive, and remind you of the request for you to
stop your behavior. If you do not promptly cease this behavior, you will be asked to leave. The
meeting will then continue only after you have left the room.”

The following is appropriate for online disruption:
“I must repeat that your actions are disruptive, and remind you of the request for you to
stop your behavior. If you do not promptly cease this behavior, your audio and video
participation into the meeting will be turned off and the meeting will continue.”

C. Order the Person to Leave or Order Termination of Audio and Video. If the person
refuses to stop after the second warning, he/she should be asked to leave, by stating the
following:

2025 Brown Act Handbook LozanoSmith.com 141