2026 -- S 2480

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LC004452

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

     Introduced By: Senators Kallman, DiPalma, Thompson, Raptakis, Murray, Mack, Lauria,
Urso, Dimitri, and Appollonio

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 38-2 of the General Laws entitled "Access to Public Records" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     38-2-17. Traffic accidents and improvement data.

     Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter or state law, any records that, under

23 U.S.C. § 407, are not discoverable or admissible in court proceedings or allowed to be

considered for other purposes in damage actions shall nonetheless be deemed public records;

provided, however, the records may not be used for purposes prohibited by that federal statute.

When making the record public, whether in response to a request pursuant to this chapter, or

otherwise, a public body may provide written notice of the aforementioned restrictions on their use.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC004452

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

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     This act would make traffic accident data a public record, subject to federal law.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004452

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