Enforcement of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) in Michigan

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Bill Search and Legislative Information | New York State Assembly

News and Information from the New York State Assembly

This is how enforcement of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) works in Michigan:

Penalties for Violating OMA

Any person, including the state attorney general or a local prosecuting attorney, can commence a lawsuit to compel compliance or to enjoin further noncompliance in local Circuit Court.

If successful in obtaining relief in the action (i.e. an injunction), the person is entitled to recover court costs and actual attorney fees.

Criminal Penalties

The first time a public official intentionally violates OMA, he or she can be punished by a maximum fine of $1,000.

For a second offense within the same term of office, he or she can found guilty of a misdemeanor and be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed for a maximum of one year.

A public official who intentionally violates the act is also personally liable for actual and exemplary damages up to $500, plus court costs and attorney fees.

In NY the Attorney General will not assist you in any way, there are no fines or criminal penalties, no personal liability and good luck with getting your attorney fees paid.

Our bill to at least make it easier to get attorney fees sponsored by Assemblymember Steck and Senator John Liu, passed the Senate in June. We will continue to fight to make change in NY.