Department of Attorney General Rules and Regulations Regarding Training under the Access to Public Records Act

Regulation Authority:

R.I. Gen. Laws §38-2-3.16 (2012 Public Laws, Chapters 448 and 454)

Purpose and Reason:

To establish rules and regulations to implement R.I. Gen. Laws §38-2-3.16 (2012 Public Laws, Chapters 448 and 454)relating to compliance by public bodies with the training requirements provided in the Access to Public Records Act, §38-2-1, et. seq. The final regulations have been amended from the proposed regulations after public hearing and comment. Rule one was changed by striking “by January 1 of each calendar year” and replacing it with “as provided by R. I. Gen. Laws §38-2-3.16 (“compliance by agencies and public bodies”)”. This change was made in the event that, if the statutory filing date is ever amended by the General Assembly, these rules and regulations would not have to be amended. Second, a new rule was added to provide that “The Attorney General may annually prepare and post a list of all certifications received by the office by public bodies.” After public hearing and comment, it was clear that it would be in the interests of efficiency to the give the Attorney General the ability to provide a list of all those certified under the APRA. A provision requesting the trainee’s email was added to the certificate of compliance to provide notice of further Open Government seminars.