How to File a Public Records Request in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 38-2-1 et seq. and enacted in 1979, guarantees every person and entity the right to inspect and copy public records maintained by state and local government bodies. The law applies broadly to all executive, legislative, regulatory, and administrative bodies of the state and its political subdivisions, including municipalities like cities and towns. Public agencies must respond to requests within 10 business days; that deadline may be extended by an additional 20 business days for good cause. The burden falls on the agency — not the requester — to justify withholding any record. Requesters are not required to provide identification, state a reason for their request, or be a Rhode Island resident. The Office of the Attorney General enforces APRA and investigates complaints.
The Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (APRA)
- Statutory Citation
- R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 38-2-1 through 38-2-14
- Response Deadline
- 10 business days
- Fee Provisions
- Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-4, agencies may charge no more than $0.15 per page for paper copies on common business or legal-size paper. Search and retrieval fees may not exceed $15.00 per hour, and the first hour of search time is free. Agencies may charge actual cost for retrieving records from storage or providing electronic records. Multiple requests to the same agency within a 30-day period are treated as a single request for fee purposes. Fee waivers are available but must be determined by a court — not the agency alone.
- Key Exemptions
- APRA contains over 25 specific exemptions enumerated in R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-2(4). Major exempt categories include: personnel records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy; law enforcement investigative records; records protected by attorney-client privilege; trade secrets and proprietary commercial information; preliminary work product and negotiation records; personal financial records; medical and mental health records; and communications between elected officials and their constituents. Agencies must disclose any reasonably segregable non-exempt portions of a partially exempt record.
- Appeal Process
- A requester denied access may petition the chief administrative officer of the agency under R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-8(a); the officer must respond within 10 business days. Separately — or in lieu of an administrative appeal — the requester may file a complaint directly with the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General under § 38-2-8(b), which will investigate and may sue the agency. The requester may also file a civil action in Superior Court for the county where the records are maintained. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-9(d), the court shall award reasonable attorney's fees to a prevailing plaintiff; fees may be awarded to a prevailing defendant only if the plaintiff's case was not grounded in fact or law.
- Ombudsman
- Rhode Island does not have a dedicated public records ombudsman. Enforcement of APRA is handled by the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General, which investigates complaints and may bring suit on behalf of the public interest under R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-8.
Read the full text of the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (APRA)
City FOIA Guides in Rhode Island
Select a city below for a detailed guide on how to file a public records request with that municipality.
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