Changes to the state's primary open-meetings law take effect Sunday, bringing greater transparency to Pennsylvanians.

Act 65 of 2021, which was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf in June, amends the state Sunshine Act, requiring local agencies — including all municipalities and public school districts — to be more transparent in how they conduct their business.

The act's provisions include requiring that all public agencies post a public meeting agenda to their website at least 24 hours prior to any meeting, forbidding agencies from considering items not on the agenda except in special circumstances and requiring that agencies provide paper copies of agendas to those in attendance.

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-10th, who championed Act 65 in the state house, said it is just as crucial as ever to have transparent local government.

“With heated school board and local government meetings taking place across the state on issues impacting the daily lives of parents, students and communities, it's especially important for citizens to be aware of this change and for elected officials to think twice about letting important business fly under the taxpayer's radar,” Bernstine said.

Act 65, which passed both chambers of the state General Assembly unanimously, is nearly identical to a bill Bernstine, whose constituents include Slippery Rock residents, introduced to the state house during the 2019-20 legislative session.