May 23, 2013
Alabama's current open meeting law allows government officials to bar the public from meetings when the "good name and character" of an individual is discussed.
However, Rep. Linda Coleman says some governing bodies use that exception as a blanket reason to keep the public out. She is a former Birmingham city councilwoman.
A bill that defines "good name and character" while making other changes to the open meetings law, was discussed during a public hearing before the House Judiciary Committee.
The committee delayed taking a vote on the issue until next week.
