The bill amends Section 38-2-3 of the General Laws regarding access to public records. It establishes that all records maintained by public bodies are public records, allowing individuals the right to inspect and copy these records. The bill mandates that public bodies maintain written minutes of all meetings and develop clear procedures for accessing public records, including the designation of a public records officer.

The bill specifies that public bodies cannot require written requests for information that is readily available and must respond to requests within ten business days, with the possibility of extending this period under certain conditions. A significant change introduced by the bill is the provision that electronically stored public records in a computer storage system must be provided at no charge upon request. Additionally, the bill clarifies that public bodies cannot withhold records based on the purpose of the request and cannot require individuals to provide personal information as a condition for access. Overall, the amendments aim to streamline the process of obtaining public records and ensure that citizens have easier access to government information.

Statutes affected:
5877: 38-2-3