The bill amends Chapter 11-47 of the General Laws, which pertains to weapons, by introducing a new section, 11-47-8.2, that establishes a review and appeal process for individuals whose applications for handgun permits are denied. Under this new provision, a decision denying a permit pursuant to either 11-47-11 or 11-47-18 shall be final unless further review or appeal is initiated in writing within fifteen (15) days after the decision has been mailed to the applicant.

An aggrieved individual may submit a written request to reconsider the denial to the licensing authority or the department of the attorney general within fifteen (15) days of the decision. The licensing authority or the department of the attorney general is required to schedule and conduct an in-person meeting within fourteen (14) days of the request to review and discuss the decision. The applicant may submit supplemental documentation, and the meeting will be informal, allowing the consideration of documents and evidence without regard to statutory and common law rules. The applicant may be represented by an attorney, and the licensing authority or attorney general must issue a written decision within seven (7) days after the meeting, stating the reasons for any denial.

An aggrieved individual may appeal the decision denying a permit or the decision of the request to reconsider to the superior court within fifteen (15) days after the decision has been mailed. The petition for review must state the grounds for review but need not be verified. Upon appeal, the petitioner is entitled to a trial de novo before a justice of the superior court without a jury. The licensing authority or attorney general must provide a complete copy of the application and all submitted documents to both the petitioner and the superior court within thirty (30) days of the notice of appeal.

The request to reconsider and the appeal to the superior court shall not be deemed public, and all documents, records, and proceedings shall remain confidential, accessible only to law enforcement personnel for law enforcement purposes. An applicant may request that the superior court hearing be open to the public. The superior court may award reasonable attorneys' fees, costs, and filing fees to the prevailing applicant if it finds that there is no justiciable issue of law or fact, or if the licensing authority or the department of the attorney general did not have a good faith basis for the denial of the license or permit. This act will take effect upon passage.