60 Percent Of Md. Local Governments Haven't Complied With Open Meetings Training Law

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) -- State officials say more than 60 percent of Maryland local governments haven't complied with a 2013 state law requiring training in the state's Open Meetings Act.

The Carroll County Times (http://bit.ly/16KmZ9z) reported Sunday that that the Open Meetings Compliance Board sees lots of room for improvement. Chairwoman Monica Johnson says local officials must be educated about the law.

The law requires all government boards, commissions, task forces and bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act to designate a person to take a training class. They had until April 1 to designate a trainee and tell the attorney general's office.

There is no penalty for failing to comply. The legislation provided no resources to the attorney general's office to administer the law or to ensure compliance.