The bill amends Section 38-2-3 of the General Laws concerning access to public records. It establishes that all records maintained by public bodies are public records, with the right for individuals to inspect or copy them, subject to specific procedures outlined in the bill. The bill mandates that public bodies maintain written minutes of all meetings and develop written procedures for accessing public records. These procedures must include the identification of a designated public records officer, instructions for making requests, and the location for submitting such requests.

Additionally, the bill specifies that all requests to inspect and/or copy public records must include sufficient identifying information to verify the requester's identity, explicitly prohibiting anonymous requests. At a minimum, a requester must provide their name and a valid mailing address or electronic mail address.

The act is set to take effect upon passage, reinforcing the importance of transparency and accessibility in public records management.

Statutes affected:
2393: 38-2-3