465 R.I. Code R. 465-RICR-10-00-3.5

Current through November 7, 2024
Section 465-RICR-10-00-3.5 - Access to Public Records
A. The record as defined in §§ 3.2 through 3.4 of this Part,shall constitute the public record of the case and shall be made available for inspection or copying under the following conditions; provided, however, nothing contained herein, shall be deemed to exempt from disclosure any other records from the case that are "public records" under the Access to Public Records Act.
B. In order to ensure that a party is provided with the public records they seek in an expeditious manner, it is recommended that the request be submitted in writing, specifically stating the documents required. All requests must be made at least ten (10) business days prior to the date of the inspection. If the record requested is in active use, or in storage, and therefore, not available at the time the requester seeks access, the Board's Administrator shall so inform the requester and make an appointment at a time, as soon as possible, for the requester to examine said documents.
C. The Administrator or its Agent of the Board, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-7 - Public Records Act, may deny a request for documents, pursuant to the lawful exemptions enumerated under R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-2(4). Any party denied the right to inspect a record of the Board may petition the Board for a review of the denial. The Board shall make a final determination whether or not to allow public inspection within ten (10) business days after the submission of the request to review the denial.
D. If the Board upholds the decision to deny the request to review documents, the requester may file a complaint with the Attorney General.
E. Any request for copies, identified with specificity, either after inspection of documents, or without inspection, must be made to the Board's Administrator or its Agent.
F. If the request for documents is not denied, the Board's staff may, if requested by the party, provide an estimate of the costs for the requested documents, prior to providing said copies. Upon approval by the requester, the Board shall then provide the requested documents to the requester, together with its invoice for the same, if applicable.
G. The Board may charge a reasonable fee for the search and retrieval of documents. Hourly costs for such a search and retrieval shall not exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour, and no costs shall be charged for the first hour of a search or retrieval. The Board shall be permitted to charge a fee not exceeding fifteen cents ($.15) per copy. Payment may be made only by check or money order, made payable to the General Treasurer - State of Rhode Island; cash will not be accepted.
H. Written requests for records or other information may be submitted through the electronic document management system (e-filing), electronic mail (e-mail) to rislrb.web@rislrb.ri.gov, by facsimile (fax) at 401-462-8776, or by mail, Attention: Administrator, Rhode Island State Labor Relations Board, 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Building #73, 2nd Floor, Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.

465 R.I. Code R. 465-RICR-10-00-3.5