LANSING — The Michigan Senate approved a change to the Open Meetings Act Wednesday, a state law that requires bodies like school boards or city councils to meet in publicly accessible sessions.
The proposal — SB 288 — would allow a public body to assert attorney-client privilege even without their attorney being present, greatly expanding the potential opportunities to enter closed session.
Transparency advocates warn that the policy could be used in bad faith to meet privately when discussing matters of public concern.
Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, sponsor of the bill, says that the proposal is meant to shield public bodies in the case of potentially sensitive human resource matters.
“I served at the local level, and I had to deal with corruption,” said Klinefelt, (D) District 11, Eastpointe. “I found it extremely frustrating to try to find a reason to go in to closed session that was legitimate.”
The bill now goes to the Republican-controlled House, where its fate remains unclear.
House Speaker Matt Hall has previously dismissed proposals aimed at expanding the Freedom of Information Act.