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. It specifies 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. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5877: 38-2-3