The chapter in the California Government Code commonly referred to as the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9, Division 2, Title 5) was enacted in 1953 and requires public boards to conduct open meetings. Since enactment, the legislature has amended it numerous times, and the attorney general's office and the courts have interpreted its provisions. The law states that "the public commissions, boards and councils and other public agencies in this State exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business. It is the intent of the Law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly." This review of the Brown Act is intended to assist school board members in understanding the intent as well as the letter of the law governing the deliberations and actions of school boards. The review covers requirements of the act and its specific and limited exceptions, the types of meetings to which it applies, the necessity for giving public notice of meetings, and the need to keep public records of meetings. Relevant court cases are also discussed. (Author/JM)