2021 -- S 0916

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LC002892

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT

     Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

     Date Introduced: May 20, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

CHAPTER 8.3

MODERNIZATION OF PUBLICATION OF LEGAL NOTICES, ADVERTISEMENTS, AND

OTHER WRITTEN MATTERS

     42-8.3-1. Purpose.

     The purpose of this chapter is to modernize the publication of legal notices and

advertisements within the state and expand the public's access to such publications, such that

publication or posting in accordance with this chapter shall substitute and satisfy the requirements

for the publication of any statutorily-required notice, advertisement, or other written matter in a

newspaper.

     42-8.3-2. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Official website" means the official Internet website that is maintained by the

Secretary and established in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated in accordance

with § 42-8.3-5.

     (2) "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, legal entity,

municipality, or public body. The term "person" shall also mean any authorized employee or agent

of any such individual, corporation, partnership, association, legal entity, municipality, or public

body.

     (3) "Secretary" means the department of state.

     42-8.3-3. Official website for publication of legal notice.

     Notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, any notice,

advertisement, or other written matter required to be published by any law of this state in a

newspaper shall be deemed to satisfy such requirement if published or posted on the official

website.

     42-8.3-4. Costs.

     There shall be no cost associated with the publication or posting of any notice,

advertisement, or other written matter on the official website.

     42-8.3-5. Rules and Regulations.

     (a) No later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the enactment of this chapter, the

secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter.

     (b) Such rules and regulations shall include:

     (1) The ability to search the official website by statutory cite, keyword, and date of

publication or posting;

     (2) A mechanism by which the official website can send a subscribing person email

notifications, including a choice of how often to receive such notifications and the option to

terminate such notifications;

     (3) A mechanism by which a person can submit a notice, advertisement, or other written

matter for publication or posting on the official website; and

     (4) A mechanism that prohibits the alteration or manipulation of any original notice,

advertisement, or other written matter on the official website.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage; provided, however, that the official

website shall become operative on January 1, 2022.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT

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     This act would allow the publication of legal notices on the state's official website, which

would satisfy the requirements for the publication of any statutorily-required notice, advertisement,

or other written matter in a newspaper.

     This act would take effect upon passage; provided, however, that the official website would

become operative on January 1, 2022.

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LC002892

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