Rhode Island’s Open Meetings Act: what every meeting needs
Every public body in Rhode Island, from a city council to a five-member advisory board, follows the same law: a notice posted before each meeting, minutes kept and made public after it, and strict rules for closing any part of a meeting.
Checklist, stage by stage
What the law asks at each point in a meeting’s life. Each stage links to the full guide, with the statute quoted.
At the start of the year
- Give written notice of the year’s regular meetings, with dates, times and places, and provide it to the Secretary of State. (§ 42-46-6(a))
Before each meeting
- The notice states the date it was posted, and the meeting’s date, time and place. (§ 42-46-6(b))
- Every item says what the business is, specifically enough for a resident to decide whether to attend. (§ 42-46-6(b))
- Posted at the body’s office (or the meeting building), one other prominent place, and filed electronically with the Secretary of State, at least 48 hours before the meeting day, not counting weekends or state holidays. (§ 42-46-6(b), (c))
- Any executive session is on the notice, described specifically. (§ 42-46-6(b))
At the meeting
- Record every member as present or absent, and how each member voted on each motion. (§ 42-46-7(a))
- To close part of the meeting, vote in open session and record the vote, the § 42-46-5(a) subdivision and a statement of the business. (§ 42-46-4)
- Back in open session, announce votes taken inside, with one narrow exception. (§ 42-46-4)
After the meeting
- Each member’s votes available at the office within 2 weeks. (§ 42-46-7(b)(1))
- Unofficial minutes available at the office within 35 days or by the next regular meeting, whichever is earlier. (§ 42-46-7(b)(1))
- Approved or official minutes filed electronically with the Secretary of State within 35 days, unless the body is solely advisory. (§ 42-46-7(d))
Overview, in 90 seconds
Captions onRead the transcript
Rhode Island guides
- What a Rhode Island meeting notice must include, and when to post itNotice contents, the 48-hour count, where to post, items added later
- Rhode Island meeting minutes: what they must include and when they are dueThe four required items, the three deadlines, advisory bodies
- Executive session in Rhode Island: when a board can close a meeting, and what the minutes must showThe ten purposes, the vote, what the minutes must show