§ 42-46-1. Public policy. It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner and that the citizens be advised of and aware of the performance of public officials and the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy. History of […]
§ 42-46-10. Severability. If any provision of this chapter, or the application of this chapter to any particular meeting or type of meeting, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions or the other applications of this chapter. History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 42-46-10; P.L. 1976, ch. […]
§ 42-46-11. Reported violations. Every year the attorney general shall prepare a report summarizing the complaints received pursuant to this chapter, which shall be submitted to the legislature and which shall include information as to how many complaints were found to be meritorious and the action taken by the attorney general in response to those […]
§ 42-46-12. Notice of citizen’s rights under this chapter. The attorney general shall prepare a notice providing concise information explaining the requirements of this chapter and advising citizens of their right to file complaints for violations of this chapter. The notice shall be posted in a prominent location in each city and town hall in […]
§ 42-46-13. Accessibility for persons with disabilities. (a) All public bodies, to comply with the nondiscrimination on the basis of disability requirements of R.I. Const., Art. I, § 2 and applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws (29 U.S.C. § 794, chapter 87 of this title, and chapter 24 of title 11), shall develop a transition […]
§ 42-46-14. Burden of proof. In all actions brought under this chapter, the burden shall be on the public body to demonstrate that the meeting in dispute was properly closed pursuant to, or otherwise exempt from the terms of this chapter. History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 379, § 2.
§ 42-46-2. Definitions. As used in this chapter: (1) “Meeting” means the convening of a public body to discuss and/or act upon a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power. As used herein, the term “meeting” expressly includes, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, so-called “workshop,” “working,” or […]
§ 42-46-3. Open meetings. Every meeting of all public bodies shall be open to the public unless closed pursuant to §§ 42-46-4 and 42-46-5. History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 42-46-3; P.L. 1976, ch. 330, § 2.
§ 42-46-4. Closed meetings. (a) By open call, a public body may hold a meeting closed to the public upon an affirmative vote of the majority of its members. A meeting closed to the public shall be limited to matters allowed to be exempted from discussion at open meetings by § 42-46-5. The vote of […]
§ 42-46-5. Purposes for which meeting may be closed — Use of electronic communications — Judicial proceedings — Disruptive conduct. (a) A public body may hold a meeting closed to the public pursuant to § 42-46-4 for one or more of the following purposes: (1) Any discussions of the job performance, character, or physical or […]
§ 42-46-6. Notice. (a) All public bodies shall give written notice of their regularly scheduled meetings at the beginning of each calendar year. The notice shall include the dates, times, and places of the meetings and shall be provided to members of the public upon request and to the secretary of state at the beginning […]
§ 42-46-7. Minutes. (a) All public bodies shall keep written minutes of all their meetings. The minutes shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) The date, time, and place of the meeting; (2) The members of the public body recorded as either present or absent; (3) A record by individual members of any […]
§ 42-46-8. Remedies available to aggrieved persons or entities. (a) Any citizen or entity of the state who is aggrieved as a result of violations of the provisions of this chapter may file a complaint with the attorney general. The attorney general shall investigate the complaint and if the attorney general determines that the allegations […]
§ 42-46-9. Other applicable law. The provisions of this chapter shall be in addition to any and all other conditions or provisions of applicable law and are not to be construed to be in amendment of or in repeal of any other applicable provision of law, except § 16-2-29, which has been expressly repealed. History […]
