Greene Act Compliance
& Meeting Norms

Why It Matters

Under California Education Code § 35147 (the Greene Act), ELAC meetings must be public, transparent, and accessible. While ELACs are exempt from the Brown Act, the Greene Act ensures families and community members have meaningful opportunities to share input and understand decisions that affect English learners.

What You Must Do

To meet Greene Act requirements, every ELAC must:

• Advance Notice: Post the meeting notice and agenda at least 72 hours before the meeting in a public location (e.g., school site or website). Include the date, time, location, and a clear description of each agenda item.

• Public Input: Allow anyone to speak on any topic within ELAC’s responsibilities.

• No Surprise Actions: Only take action on items listed in the agenda unless there’s a unanimous vote that a new item requires immediate attention.

• Materials Access: Make all materials provided to ELAC members available to the public upon request.

• Reconsideration Rights: If a rule is violated, ELAC must revisit the item at the next meeting and allow public comment.

Don’t Forget: Check Your District’s ELAC Guidelines

In addition to state law, your school district may have its own rules and expectations for how ELAC meetings should be conducted.

This may include:

• Quorum requirements

• Officer roles and election timelines

• Meeting formats (in-person, virtual, or hybrid)

• Voting procedures and use of parliamentary rules

Action Step: Ask your school or district office for a copy of its ELAC bylaws or meeting protocols. Then review them with your ELAC team—especially at your first meeting or orientation.

Understanding both state and local expectations builds trust, supports transparency, and helps your ELAC operate smoothly and effectively.

Practice Tips for ELAC Facilitators

• Post notices and agendas in visible locations, such as the school lobby or website, at least 72 hours in advance.

• Use clear, accessible language to describe each agenda item.

• Build time into your meeting agenda for public comment, including space for late arrivals.

• Keep records of agendas, minutes, and materials, and make them available upon request.