The bill amends Section 45-15-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-15, which pertains to actions by and against towns. It establishes a requirement for municipalities to disclose specific information on their official websites regarding civil actions involving the municipality or its officials. Within sixty (60) days after the close of their fiscal year, municipalities must provide the following information:

1. A list of civil actions filed in state or federal court during the year, or which concluded during the year, in which the municipality, or any official or employee of the municipality, sued or was sued in their official capacity;
2. The case number for each civil action and the court in which it was filed;
3. A short description of the legal claims asserted in the case;
4. The current status of the case;
5. The amount of legal fees incurred and/or paid by the municipality related to the civil action; and
6. Upon conclusion of the civil action, a breakdown of all costs and expenses in the following categories: court costs, legal fees, expert witness fees, compensatory and punitive damages, and any other costs, fees, or expenses incurred.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that this requirement does not affect the availability of records pursuant to chapter 2 of title 38 ("access to public records"). The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
3040: 45-15-5