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The FOI Advocate is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible. The blog relies on the accuracy and integrity of the original sources cited. We will correct errors and inaccuracies when we become aware of them.

Friday, June 06, 2008

Rhode Island FOI Reform?

Rhode Island's Senate has voted to strengthen the state's freedom to information law by requiring government agencies to respond to information requests faster.

The bill passed unanimously Thursday afternoon. It now heads to the House.

If adopted, Sen. Michael Lenihan's proposal would be the first major change to the state Access to Public Records Act in a decade. It would ban government agencies from forcing people who seek government documents to divulge their identities or reasons for seeking the information.

The bill would also require the government to respond to open records requests within seven days, instead of 10. Police departments would have to release basic information about arrests within 24 hours of receiving an inquiry.

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