Welcome to MuckRock's Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act appeal guide!
Each entry provides background and context about an exemption to the public records laws in all fifty states, as well as federal FOIA. Read more about Rhode Island's public records law or explore all our expert FOIA guides. Have a public records appeal or information on an exemption we should include? Consider sharing your knowledge with everyone by donating your FOIA appeal language.
Legislative Records
This guide is for informational purposes only, is general in nature, and is not legal opinion nor legal advice regarding any specific issue or factual circumstance.
The definition of “public body” used by the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act does not exempt the legislative branch.
Example Appeals
Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 38-2-2 (1) "any executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, or administrative body of the state, or any political subdivision thereof; including, but not limited to, any department, division, agency, commission, board, office, bureau, authority, any school, fire, or water district, or other agency of Rhode Island state or local government which exercises governmental functions, any authority as defined in § 42-35-1(b), or any other public or private agency, person, partnership, corporation, or business entity acting on behalf of and/or in place of any public agency."
Legislative records are not exempt.
Please provide the responsive materials forthwith. If such materials cannot be produced, please provide an appropriate explanation for this rejection, as is dictated by this agency's legal obligations under the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act. Your accelerated attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Proper Use
Exemptions apply, however legislative records cannot be categorically denied.
Improper Use
According to Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act, the act includes the records of “any executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, or administrative body of the state, or any political subdivision thereof; including, but not limited to, any department, division, agency, commission, board, office, bureau, authority, any school, fire, or water district, or other agency of Rhode Island state or local government which exercises governmental functions, any authority as defined in § 42-35-1(b), or any other public or private agency, person, partnership, corporation, or business entity acting on behalf of and/or in place of any public agency.”
Key Citations
R.I. Gen. Laws 38-2-2 (1)