2017 -- H 5382

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LC000651

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- AUDIO AND VIDEO

RECORDINGS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Filippi, Mendonca, Roberts, Quattrocchi, and Morgan

     Date Introduced: February 03, 2017

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 46.1

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AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS

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     42-46.1-1. Recordings to be made.

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     (a) Every public school committee of any city, town or regional school district; and every

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city or town council; and every city or town zoning board of review shall make audio and video

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recordings of all open meetings and shall transmit the recordings of all open meetings, as defined

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in chapter 46 of this title, within forty-eight (48) hours of the meeting, to the office of the

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secretary of state.

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     (b) The secretary of state shall post the recordings of all open meetings recorded pursuant

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to this section on its website within one business day of receipt, and make the recordings

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available to the public in such format or formats as are commonly used for Internet transmission.

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     (c) This section shall not apply to public bodies whose responsibilities are solely advisory

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in nature.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- AUDIO AND VIDEO

RECORDINGS

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     This act would require audio and video recordings of certain open meetings of municipal

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government to be transmitted to the secretary of state's office. The secretary of state would be

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required to post recordings of these open meetings on its website and to be available for public

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access.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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