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R.I. Senate votes to strengthen state's open records law

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June 5, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—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.

© Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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