The bill amends several sections of Chapter 38-2 of the General Laws, which governs "Access to Public Records," to enhance transparency and public access while balancing individual privacy rights. Key provisions include a clearer definition of "public body" to encompass police departments of private educational institutions and a specification that public records include various forms of documentation, with exemptions for certain records such as medical and personnel records.

The bill clarifies that police reports of incidents that do not lead to an arrest are accessible to public records requests and mandates that final reports of investigations conducted by internal affairs units be made public. It also establishes that all police body-worn camera recordings are subject to public access, particularly in incidents involving police use of force, and must be released within thirty days of a request, unless a court grants an extension.

Additionally, the bill requires public bodies to maintain written minutes of meetings and establishes clear procedures for public record requests, allowing submissions in various formats, including in person, by regular and electronic mail, and potentially by fax or online portal. It specifies that failure to follow certain procedures will not automatically result in denial of requests and mandates that public bodies forward misdirected requests to the appropriate officer.

The bill introduces provisions to address vexatious requests aimed at disrupting government operations, increases penalties for knowing and willful violations of the public records law, and mandates that settlement agreements involving governmental entities be considered public records. It also expands the scope of accessible records to include traffic accident data and preferred license plate information, while ensuring that certain privacy protections remain in place. Overall, the bill aims to improve public access to information while providing mechanisms to address frivolous requests that disrupt government operations.

Statutes affected:
909: 39-21.1-17