Access to Public Records Act Procedure

Townwide Procedure for the Request for Public Records:

Access to Public Records Act Procedure for the Portsmouth Police Department

Access to Public Records Act Procedure for Other Town Departments:

The Town is committed to providing the public with access to public records under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-2 from all Town departments. The Town’s various departments and staff provides numerous documents to the public, media, and attorneys every day in the ordinary course of business.  However, for any person who (1) does not desire to make an oral request; (2) wishes to make a formal written request; (3) has a request that needs clarification; or (4) has a request outside of normal business hours, please complete the “Request for Records Under the Access to Public Records Act” form available at any Town Department or by following these procedures.

Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-3(d), the Portsmouth Town Administrator has established the following procedure regarding access to public records:

1. A request to inspect and/or copy public records of the Town of Portsmouth may be presented orally or in writing to the Public Records Officer in each department as listed below:

Normal business hours may vary for each location.  Town Hall is open Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. In order to receive the records you request in a prompt manner, we ask that you complete the Request for Public Records Under the Access to Public Records Act form located above. Copies are available in each department.

2. The Public Records Officer in each department will provide you with a form to complete, which permits us to know the precise public documents you seek and assists us in processing your request in an expeditious manner.  Although not required, in order to ensure compliance with the Access to Public Records Act and that you are provided with the public records you seek expeditiously, the Town asks that you complete the Public Records Act Request Form. This form is not required if you are seeking records available pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act or other documents prepared for or readily available to the public.

3. There are times/circumstances when the records will not be available at the time you make your request.  If the records are not readily available, they can either be mailed to you or you can pick them up on a designated date. The Access to Public Records Act grants a public body ten (10) business days to respond to your request per R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-3(e). The Act further provides that for good cause, a public body may submit a written request for an extension of up to twenty (20) business days to process the request. We thank you in advance for your understanding if it is necessary to request this extension. 

4. Costs. The Access to Public Records Act gives you the opportunity to view and/or copy public records.  The cost per copied page of written public documents will be fifteen cents ($0.15) for page copied on common business or legal size paper. You may elect to obtain public records in any and all media in which we are capable of providing them.  The Act permits a reasonable charge for search and retrieval of documents.  The hourly costs for a search and retrieval shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour, with no charge for the first hour.  We will be more than happy to provide you with an estimate.  Upon a request, we will provide a detailed itemization of the costs charged for search and retrieval.

5 Public Records.  A “public record” is defined as “documents, papers, . . . or other material regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency” (R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-2).

6. Redaction.  Although a document may constitute a public record, there may be some information contained on the document that may be redacted/deleted as it may be exempt from disclosure under R. I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-2.  

7. Exemptions.  The Access to Public Records Act exempts a variety of records from public disclosure, as set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-2(4).

8. Appeal of Denial.  Any person or entity denied the right to inspect a record of a public body may petition the Town Administrator for review of the decision denying the request,  Any petitions from a denial should be addressed to Richard A. Rainer, Town Administrator.  A final determination of whether to allow public inspection will be made within ten (10) business days after the submission of the review petition per R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-8.

9. Complaint to the Attorney General.  If the Town Administrator determines the record is not subject to public inspection, the person or entity seeking disclosure may file a complaint with the attorney general (150 Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; Telephone:  401-274-4400) or may retain private counsel for the purposes of instituting proceedings for injunctive or declaratory relief in the Superior Court of Providence County.

R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-1, et seq.