AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS (Requires public bodies to offer translation services for all open meetings of said bodies.)

S2152

2026 -- S 2152
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LC003839
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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS

Introduced By:
Senators Bissaillon, Bell, DiMario, Urso, and Famiglietti

Date Introduced:
January 16, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 42-46 of the General Laws entitled "Open Meetings" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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42-46-15. Translation and interpretation services.

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(a) All public bodies shall develop a translation assistance plan setting forth the steps
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necessary to ensure that all open meetings of said bodies shall have the proceedings accessible to
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an individual in a language they understand, upon request.
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(b) The public body shall implement the translation assistance plan under this section by
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September 1, 2027.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC003839
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS
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This act would require public bodies to offer translation services for all open meetings of
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said bodies.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003839
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