Open Meetings Act

Open Meetings Score

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Online posting: Required

Post written notice at least 48 hours before meeting (excluding weekends and holidays); post at principal office and at least one other prominent place; file electronically with Secretary of State

Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote for emergency items only

Public Participation

Rhode Island Open Meetings Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-1 et seq.) does not mandate a public comment period at open meetings. Bodies may allow comment at their discretion; local policy governs.

Virtual Meetings

R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46 limits remote participation to ADA disability accommodation and active military duty; no general statutory authorization for remote quorum meetings post-COVID. URI board of trustees and RI Life Science Hub have narrow specific exceptions. Proposed legislation to expand these provisions has not yet passed.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

• Personnel
• Pending Litigation
• Real Property
• Labor Negotiations
• Security
• Criminal Investigation

Meeting Minutes

Online posting: Required

Content requirements: date, time, place, members present, all motions and votes (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-7)

Recording & Broadcast

Enforcement

Scope

This law applies to:

• City
• County
• School District
• Special District

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Accessibility & Language Access

ADA accessibility: ADA Title II applies to all public meetings. The state statute does not add requirements beyond federal law; reasonable accommodations must be provided on request.

Language access: No statutory language-access mandate beyond federal Civil Rights Act Title VI obligations for recipients of federal funds.

Sources & References

• Full text of law →