Acces to Public Records Regulations

Regulation Authority:

RIGL 42-35; 42-7.2-11

Purpose and Reason:

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) proposes this Regulation to set forth the specific rules and procedures applicable to access to public records maintained by the Department of Human Services; Department of Children, Youth and Families; Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals and the Department of Elderly Affairs; and the Department of Health as detailed in the current rules and regulations of the Department of Health regarding Practices and Procedures Before the Department of Health and Access to Public Records of the Department of Health. EOHHS recognizes both the public’s right to access public records and the individual’s right to dignity and privacy. It is the EOHHS policy to facilitate public access to all public records that may be disclosed in accordance with RIGL § 38-2-1, et seq. It is also the policy of the EOHHS to ensure all public records under its jurisdiction be available for public inspection and reproduction consistent with all applicable state and/or federal law, unless otherwise prohibited by a court of competent jurisdiction.