2023 -- H 5292

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LC000497

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

     RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- PUBLIC NOTICE

REQUIREMENTS ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Place, and Quattrocchi

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2023

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     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 165

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PUBLIC NOTICE REQUIREMENTS ACT

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     42-165-1. Public notice requirements.

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     (a) Notwithstanding any public or general law to the contrary, effective January 1, 2024,

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whenever it is required that notice be published in a newspaper by a municipality pursuant to law,

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the publication of notice requirement shall be satisfied by publication in any newspaper in general

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circulation within the municipality or by posting or publication on any other platform designated

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by city or town ordinance.

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     (b) Notwithstanding any public or general law to the contrary, effective January 1, 2024,

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whenever a non-governmental individual or entity is required to provide notice by publication in a

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newspaper pursuant to law, the publication of notice requirement shall be satisfied by publication

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in one or more newspapers which individually or collectively provide circulation for all geographic

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areas for which notice is required.

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     (c) Notwithstanding any public or general law to the contrary, effective January 1, 2024,

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whenever a department, agency, or office of the state is required to publish notice in a newspaper

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pursuant to law, the publication of notice requirement may be satisfied by publication or posting

 

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on the secretary of state and the department of administration websites.

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     (d) The publication of notice requirements established pursuant to the provisions of this

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section shall not apply to the notice provisions set forth in chapter 22 of title 33.

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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 -- PUBLIC NOTICE

REQUIREMENTS ACT

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     This act would authorize municipalities to publish public notices in any newspaper in

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circulation in the municipality or on any other platform designated by ordinance. Additionally,

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private entities may publish public notice by publication in one or more newspapers circulated in

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the geographic area where notice is required. Finally this act would provide that the state may

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provide public notice by posting on the secretary of state and department of administration

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websites. The notice provisions of this act do not apply to notice required in probate matters.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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