INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana school boards will be required to allow public comment during their meetings under a bill that was signed Tuesday into law.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed the measure that will take effect July 1st. The new law mandates that school boards offer an oral public comment period at all public meetings, including those conducted virtually.

The public is currently allowed to attend board meetings, but those meetings haven’t been required to allow those attending to speak at most sessions.

The legislation was proposed after confrontational or disruptive school board meetings over the last year saw some boards suspend or restrict public comment sessions.

School boards may adopt “reasonable rules” to accommodate public comment periods and maintain order in meetings. That includes setting time limits for those who speak and the removal of disruptive people.