§45-8-120.16. Open meetings and hearings of board.

All meetings and hearings of the board shall be open to the public. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when the good name and character of an individual is to be discussed by the board at one of its meetings, or a written waiver of public hearing signed by the affected employee, the appointing authority, or the citizen complainant, as the case may be, is filed with the board, the board may, by majority vote of its members, close a meeting or hearing and exclude the public. No other matter may be discussed by the board, if a meeting or hearing has been so closed. In any proceeding before the board, the county commission and appointing authorities, or their designated representatives, and any other interested individual may appear and present information in their interests. The board and its specially authorized representatives shall have the power to administer oaths, take depositions, certify official acts, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of papers necessary as evidence in connection with any hearing, investigation, or other proceeding within the purview of this act. The sheriff or other law enforcement officer of the county shall serve all processes of the board and shall attend and preserve order at the board's public hearings or other proceedings, when requested by the board. In case a person refuses to obey a duly authorized subpoena of the board, the board, or its representative, may invoke the aid of any circuit court in order that the testimony or evidence is produced. Upon proper showing, such court shall issue a subpoena or order requiring the person to appear before the board or its representatives and produce all evidence relating to the matter in issue. Any person who fails to obey the subpoena or order may be punished by the court as for contempt. The fees of witnesses for attendance and travel shall be the same as fees for witnesses in the circuit courts of this state and shall be paid by the county commission from the general fund of the county. All testimony given in all hearings before the board shall be recorded and transcribed. In all cases, the decision of the board shall be reduced to writing and entered in the record of the case.

(Act 96-479, p. 595, §16.)