Page 71 - 2026 Lozano Smith Brown Act Handbook

(e) For purposes of this section, both of the following definitions apply:

(1) “Disability” means a physical disability or a mental disability as those terms are defined in
Section 12926 and used in Section 12926.1, or a disability as defined in Section 12102 of Title
42 of the United States Code.

(2)(A) “Teleconference” means a meeting of a legislative body, the members of which are in
different locations, connected by electronic means, through either audio or video, or both.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), “teleconference” does not include one or more members
watching or listening to a meeting via webcasting or any other similar electronic medium that
does not permit members to interactively speak, discuss, or deliberate on matters.

(3) “Remote participation” means participation in a meeting by teleconference at a location
other than any physical meeting location designated in the notice of the meeting.

54953.1. Grand jury testimony

The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to prohibit the members of the legislative
body of a local agency from giving testimony in private before a grand jury, either as individuals
or as a body.

54953.2. Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act

All meetings of a legislative body of a local agency that are open, and public shall meet the
protections and prohibitions contained in Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and the federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation
thereof.

54953.3. Conditions to attendance

A member of the public shall not be required, as a condition to attendance at a meeting of a
legislative body of a local agency, to register his or her name, to provide other information, to
complete a questionnaire, or otherwise to fulfill any condition precedent to his or her attendance.
If an attendance list, register, questionnaire, or other similar document is posted at or near the
entrance to the room where the meeting is to be held, or is circulated to the persons present
during the meeting, it shall state clearly that the signing, registering, or completion of the
document is voluntary, and that all persons may attend the meeting regardless of whether a
person signs, registers, or completes the document.

54953.4. Remote public participation

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that public access, including through translation of
agendas as required by this section, is necessary for an informed populace. The Legislature
encourages local agencies to adopt public access requirements that exceed the requirements of
this chapter by translating additional languages, employing human translators, and conducting
additional outreach.

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