AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Boylan and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island would publicly release traffic accident records blocked by federal laws (23 U.S.C. § 407) but with notices showing permissible uses and federal restrictions.

06/19/2026 Signed by Governor

Summary of HB 7576 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to expand access to traffic accident data by ensuring certain traffic-related records are considered public records under Rhode Island’s public records law.

It seeks to make data about traffic accidents publicly accessible while preserving compliance with federal restrictions.

Key provisions

Adds a new section (38-2-17) to the General Laws, Chapter 38-2 (Access to Public Records).

Specifics of the new section:

Any records that, under 23 U.S.C. § 407, are not discoverable or admissible in court proceedings or allowed to be considered for other purposes in damage actions shall nevertheless be deemed public records.
The public status of these records is subject to the restrictions imposed by 23 U.S.C. § 407 (federal limitations).
When making the record public (in response to a public records request or otherwise), the public body may provide written notice of the restrictions on use dictated by federal law.

Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who/what is affected

Public bodies in Rhode Island that hold traffic accident data and related records.

Individuals or entities requesting access to traffic accident information under Rhode Island’s public records law.

The records themselves include data that would be restricted under federal law (29 U.S.C. § 407), now made public with explicit caveats regarding permissible uses.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Schedule:

Introduced February 6, 2026, and referred to the House State Government & Elections Committee.
Committee action history shows consideration in early 2026, with a recommendation to hold for further study (March 31, 2026).
Scheduled for additional consideration in May 2026 (as of the latest action).

Implementation:

The act would become effective immediately upon passage.
Public bodies may accompany the release of records with written notice describing federal restrictions on use.

Potential impact and considerations

Positive impact: Increases transparency by making traffic accident data more readily accessible to the public, researchers, journalists, and policymakers.

Federal-law interaction: While broadening accessibility, the bill explicitly preserves federal restrictions under 23 U.S.C. § 407, ensuring that records cannot be used in ways prohibited by federal law. Public bodies are encouraged to include notices clarifying these restrictions.

Practical considerations: Agencies will need to assess which records fall under the 23 U.S.C. § 407 prohibitions and craft appropriate notices when disclosing records to the public.

Context for readers

This bill sits at the intersection of state public records access and federal data use limitations. It reinforces Rhode Island’s commitment to government transparency while honoring applicable federal constraints on certain traffic safety data.