The bill amends Section 38-2-3 of the General Laws regarding access to public records, introducing new provisions to enhance transparency and accessibility. 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 written procedures for accessing public records, which must be readily available to the public.

The bill specifies that electronically stored public records in a computer storage system must be provided at no charge upon request. Additionally, it 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 upon passage.

Statutes affected:
854: 38-2-3