AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS (Makes traffic accident data a public record, subject to federal law.)

H7576

2026 -- H 7576
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LC004897
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

Introduced By:
Representatives Kislak, Potter, Serpa, Cortvriend, McGaw, Boylan,
Caldwell, Cotter, Spears, and Carson

Date Introduced:
February 06, 2026

Referred To:
House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 38-2 of the General Laws entitled "Access to Public Records" is
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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38-2-17. Traffic accidents and improvement data.

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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter or state law, any records that, under
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23 U.S.C. § 407, are not discoverable or admissible in court proceedings or allowed to be
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considered for other purposes in damage actions shall nonetheless be deemed public records;
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provided, however, the records may not be used for purposes prohibited by that federal statute.
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When making the record public, whether in response to a request pursuant to this chapter, or
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otherwise, a public body may provide written notice of the aforementioned restrictions on their use.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004897
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS
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1
This act would make traffic accident data a public record, subject to federal law.
2
This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004897
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