The City of Warren is making sure its boards and commissions are up to date on their rights and responsibilities.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the street landscape committee, City Solicitor Andrea Stapleford made the committee members aware of some changes to the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law.

As of Aug. 29, agendas for public meetings must be publicized at least 24 hours in advance.

And, the items on the agenda are the only items up for discussion.

“Once that is posted, it can only be amended under certain circumstances,” Stapleford said.

Items that have no cost associated with them and are brought to the attention of the committee after the agenda is posted may be added to the agenda late. Emergencies are also cause for changes. And, the committee may discuss items that are brought up at a meeting by a resident.

In all of those cases, the group must allow public comment on the issue.

While the committee does not have to deliberate every item on the agenda, it cannot include a ‘catch-all’ item – for example “any item that may come before the board” — to get around the spirit of the law.

Stapleford also refreshed the committee members on the state’s Right-to-Know Law.

She said emails involving agency business can be requested and are subject to the law – even if they are sent from private email accounts.