reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 42-46-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-46 - Open Meetings|Section 42-46-2 - Definitions.

§ 42-46-2. Definitions.As used in this chapter:(1) "Meeting" means the convening of a public body to discuss and/or act upon a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power. As used herein, the term "meeting" expressly includes, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, so-called "workshop," "working," or "work" sessions.(2) "Open call" means a public announcement by the chairperson of the committee that the meeting is going to be held in executive session and the chairperson must indicate which exception of § 42-46-5 is being involved.(3) "Open forum" means the designated portion of an open meeting, if any, on a properly posted notice reserved for citizens to address comments to a public body relating to matters affecting the public business.(4) "Prevailing plaintiff" includes those persons and entities deemed "prevailing parties" pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988.(5) "Public body" means any department, agency, commission, committee, board, council, bureau, or authority, or any subdivision thereof, of state or municipal government or the board of directors of any library that funded at least twenty-five percent (25%) of its operational budget in the prior budget year with public funds, and shall include all authorities defined in § 42-35-1. For purposes of this section, any political party, organization, or unit thereof meeting or convening is not and should not be considered to be a public body; provided, however, that no such meeting shall be used to circumvent the requirements of this chapter.(6) "Quorum," unless otherwise defined by applicable law, means a simple majority of the membership of a public body.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 42-46-2; P.L. 1976, ch. 330, § 2; P.L. 1982, ch. 352, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 297, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 379, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 103, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 134, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 453, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 129, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 180, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 475, § 11; P.L. 2019, ch. 98, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 132, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-46-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-46 - Open Meetings|Section 42-46-3 - Open meetings.

§ 42-46-3. Open meetings.Every meeting of all public bodies shall be open to the public unless closed pursuant to §§ 42-46-4 and 42-46-5.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 42-46-3; P.L. 1976, ch. 330, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-46-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-46 - Open Meetings|Section 42-46-4 - Closed meetings.

§ 42-46-4. Closed meetings.(a) By open call, a public body may hold a meeting closed to the public upon an affirmative vote of the majority of its members. A meeting closed to the public shall be limited to matters allowed to be exempted from discussion at open meetings by § 42-46-5. The vote of each member on the question of holding a meeting closed to the public and the reason for holding a closed meeting, by a citation to a subdivision of § 42-46-5(a), and a statement specifying the nature of the business to be discussed, shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the meeting. No public body shall discuss in closed session any public matter which does not fall within the citations to § 42-46-5(a) referred to by the public body in voting to close the meeting, even if these discussions could otherwise be closed to the public under this chapter.(b) All votes taken in closed sessions shall be disclosed once the session is reopened; provided, however, a vote taken in a closed session need not be disclosed for the period of time during which its disclosure would jeopardize any strategy, negotiation or investigation undertaken pursuant to discussions conducted under § 42-46-5(a).History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 42-46-4; P.L. 1976, ch. 330, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 29; P.L. 1988, ch. 659, § 1, P.L. 1990, ch. 201, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 379, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 340, § 37.
RI Gen L § 42-46-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-46 - Open Meetings|Section 42-46-8 - Remedies available to aggrieved persons or entities.

§ 42-46-8. Remedies available to aggrieved persons or entities.(a) Any citizen or entity of the state who is aggrieved as a result of violations of the provisions of this chapter may file a complaint with the attorney general. The attorney general shall investigate the complaint and if the attorney general determines that the allegations of the complaint are meritorious he or she may file a complaint on behalf of the complainant in the superior court against the public body.(b) No complaint may be filed by the attorney general after one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of public approval of the minutes of the meeting at which the alleged violation occurred, or, in the case of an unannounced or improperly closed meeting, after one hundred eighty (180) days from the public action of a public body revealing the alleged violation, whichever is greater.(c) Nothing within this section shall prohibit any individual from retaining private counsel for the purpose of filing a complaint in the superior court within the time specified by this section against the public body which has allegedly violated the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, that if the individual has first filed a complaint with the attorney general pursuant to this section, and the attorney general declines to take legal action, the individual may file suit in superior court within ninety (90) days of the attorney general's closing of the complaint or within one hundred eighty (180) days of the alleged violation, whichever occurs later.(d) The court shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff, other than the attorney general, except where special circumstances would render such an award unjust. The court may issue injunctive relief and declare null and void any actions of a public body found to be in violation of this chapter. In addition, the court may impose a civil fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) against a public body or any of its members found to have committed a willful or knowing violation of this chapter.(e) Nothing within this section shall prohibit the attorney general from initiating a complaint on behalf of the public interest.(f) Actions brought under this chapter may be advanced on the calendar upon motion of the petitioner.(g) The attorney general shall consider all complaints filed under this chapter to have also been filed under § 38-2-8(b) if applicable.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 146, § 2; P.L. 1981, ch. 279, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 373, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 659, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 379, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-46-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-46 - Open Meetings|Section 42-46-9 - Other applicable law.

§ 42-46-9. Other applicable law.The provisions of this chapter shall be in addition to any and all other conditions or provisions of applicable law and are not to be construed to be in amendment of or in repeal of any other applicable provision of law, except § 16-2-29, which has been expressly repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1976, ch. 330, § 2; P.L. 1977, ch. 111, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-46-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-46 - Open Meetings|Section 42-46-10 - Severability.

§ 42-46-10. Severability.If any provision of this chapter, or the application of this chapter to any particular meeting or type of meeting, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions or the other applications of this chapter.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 42-46-10; P.L. 1976, ch. 330, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-46-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-46 - Open Meetings|Section 42-46-11 - Reported violations.

§ 42-46-11. Reported violations.Every year the attorney general shall prepare a report summarizing the complaints received pursuant to this chapter, which shall be submitted to the legislature and which shall include information as to how many complaints were found to be meritorious and the action taken by the attorney general in response to those complaints.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 659, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-46-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-46 - Open Meetings|Section 42-46-12 - Notice of citizen's rights under this chapter.

§ 42-46-12. Notice of citizen's rights under this chapter.The attorney general shall prepare a notice providing concise information explaining the requirements of this chapter and advising citizens of their right to file complaints for violations of this chapter. The notice shall be posted in a prominent location in each city and town hall in the state.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 659, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-46-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-46 - Open Meetings|Section 42-46-13 - Accessibility for persons with disabilities.

§ 42-46-13. Accessibility for persons with disabilities.(a) All public bodies, to comply with the nondiscrimination on the basis of disability requirements of R.I. Const., Art. I, § 2 and applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws (29 U.S.C. § 794, chapter 87 of this title, and chapter 24 of title 11), shall develop a transition plan setting forth the steps necessary to ensure that all open meetings of said public bodies are accessible to persons with disabilities.(b) The state building code standards committee shall, by September 1, 1989 adopt an accessibility of meetings for persons with disabilities standard that includes provisions ensuring that the meeting location is accessible to and usable by all persons with disabilities.(c) This section does not require the public body to make each of its existing facilities accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities so long as all meetings required to be open to the public pursuant to chapter 46 of this title are held in accessible facilities by the dates specified in subsection (e).(d) The public body may comply with the requirements of this section through such means as reassignment of meetings to accessible facilities, alteration of existing facilities, or construction of new facilities. The public body is not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where other methods are effective in achieving compliance with this section.(e) The public body shall comply with the obligations established under this section by July 1, 1990, except that where structural changes in facilities are necessary in order to comply with this section, such changes shall be made by December 30, 1991, but in any event as expeditiously as possible unless an extension is granted by the state building commissioner for good cause.(f) Each municipal government and school district shall, with the assistance of the state building commission, complete a transition plan covering the location of meetings for all public bodies under their jurisdiction. Each chief executive of each city or town and the superintendent of schools will submit their transition plan to the governor's commission on disabilities for review and approval. The governor's commission on disabilities with assistance from the state building commission shall approve or modify, with the concurrence of the municipal government or school district, the transition plans.(g) The provisions of §§ 45-13-7 — 45-13-10, inclusive, shall not apply to this section.History of Section.P.L. 1989, ch. 487, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 150, § 14.
RI Gen L § 42-46-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-46 - Open Meetings|Section 42-46-14 - Burden of proof.

§ 42-46-14. Burden of proof.In all actions brought under this chapter, the burden shall be on the public body to demonstrate that the meeting in dispute was properly closed pursuant to, or otherwise exempt from the terms of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 379, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-47-1 - 42-47-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-47 - Commission on State Government Internships|Section 42-47-1 - 42-47-8 - Repealed.

§ 42-47-1 — 42-47-8. Repealed.
RI Gen L § 42-47.1-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-47.1 - State Government Internship Program|Section 42-47.1-1 - Administration of internship program.

§ 42-47.1-1. Administration of internship program.The state government internship program shall be administered by the joint committee on legislative services and all rights, powers and duties hereinbefore exercised by the commission on state government internships are hereby transferred to the joint committee on legislative services.History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 497, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-47.1-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-47.1 - State Government Internship Program|Section 42-47.1-2 - Purpose of intern program.

§ 42-47.1-2. Purpose of intern program.The purpose of the state government intern program shall be to enable students and young persons to develop a knowledge of the structure and procedure of the state government in order to encourage them to take an active part in the civic life of the state and to further encourage them to enter government service.History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 497, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-47.1-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-47.1 - State Government Internship Program|Section 42-47.1-3 - Office space.

§ 42-47.1-3. Office space.The director of administration shall provide adequate space in the state house for the use of the program; provided, however, that the program may conduct hearings and hold meetings elsewhere when doing so will better serve its purposes.History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 497, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-47.1-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-47.1 - State Government Internship Program|Section 42-47.1-4 - Grants, appropriations, and gifts.

§ 42-47.1-4. Grants, appropriations, and gifts.The program shall be empowered to apply for and receive from any federal, state, or local agency, private foundation, or individual, any grants, appropriations, or gifts in order to carry out the purposes of the intern program.History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 497, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-47.1-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-47.1 - State Government Internship Program|Section 42-47.1-5 - Summer internships for students with disabilities.

§ 42-47.1-5. Summer internships for students with disabilities.The program in consultation with the governor's commission on disabilities and other agencies servicing people with disabilities shall establish a summer internship program for students with disabilities. The student interns shall be placed in state agencies for the purposes of enabling these individuals in establishing an awareness of the governmental process, and also develop academic skills and career goal awareness through experiential education.History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 497, § 2.
RI Gen L § 42-48-1 - 42-48-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-48 - Council of Economic Advisors|Section 42-48-1 - 42-48-7 - Repealed.

§ 42-48-1 — 42-48-7. Repealed.
RI Gen L § 42-49-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-49 - Little State Houses|Section 42-49-1 - Authority to establish little state houses.

§ 42-49-1. Authority to establish little state houses.The governor is authorized to perform all acts necessary to establish and implement little state houses throughout the state of Rhode Island.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 32, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 441, § 26.
RI Gen L § 42-49-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-49 - Little State Houses|Section 42-49-2 - Functions.

§ 42-49-2. Functions.The little state houses shall:(1) Hear complaints from individual citizens and entertain suggestions for improving functions of government;(2) Work to remedy complaints and to implement suggestions, where feasible;(3) Provide information and direct citizens to the appropriate governmental agency or department;(4) Where appropriate, point out shortcomings in governmental operations to the attention of the governor and state departments or agencies; and(5) Compile a list of complaints handled, suggestions received, and other services rendered into an annual report to be presented to the general assembly.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 32, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-49-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-49 - Little State Houses|Section 42-49-3 - Where located.

§ 42-49-3. Where located.The little state houses shall be situated to serve natural centers of business and population, so far as is possible, to provide easy access for the citizens of Rhode Island.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 32, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-49-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-49 - Little State Houses|Section 42-49-4 - Personnel.

§ 42-49-4. Personnel.The governor is empowered to appoint the personnel necessary for the orderly function of the little state houses, and to provide the training, support, and compensation necessary to ensure that these personnel are skilled in human relations techniques and have a wide knowledge of the services provided by state government.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 32, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-49-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-49 - Little State Houses|Section 42-49-5 - Departmental cooperation.

§ 42-49-5. Departmental cooperation.Each department of the state government shall assign one or more persons to act as liaison to the little state house staff. All departments and agencies of state government shall furnish advice, service, and information, documentary and otherwise, and cooperate fully and speedily with requests from the little state house staff.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 32, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-50-1 - 42-50-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-50 - Substance Abuse Advisory Council|Section 42-50-1 - 42-50-9 - Repealed.

§ 42-50-1 — 42-50-9. Repealed.
RI Gen L § 42-50.1-1 - 42-50.1-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-50.1 - Substance Abuse Treatment Services Conference|Section 42-50.1-1 - 42-50.1-7 - Repealed.

§ 42-50.1-1 — 42-50.1-7. Repealed.
RI Gen L § 42-51-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-51 - Governor's Commission on Disabilities|Section 42-51-1 - Establishment of commission.

§ 42-51-1. Establishment of commission.There is established within the executive department a permanent commission to be known as the "governor's commission on disabilities," hereinafter referred to as "the commission."History of Section.P.L. 1970, ch. 159, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 62, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 150, § 16.
RI Gen L § 42-51-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-51 - Governor's Commission on Disabilities|Section 42-51-2 - Composition of commission.

§ 42-51-2. Composition of commission.Effective on July 1, 2014, the commission shall be composed of eighteen (18) members. Insofar as practicable, the commission shall consist of people with disabilities and state leaders of industry, labor, business, veterans, women, and federal, state, and local governments, and representatives of religious, charitable, business, labor, industrial, fraternal, civic, educational, medical, legal, veterans, welfare, and other professional groups and organizations.History of Section.P.L. 1970, ch. 159, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 62, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 91; P.L. 2014, ch. 100, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 139, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-51-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-51 - Governor's Commission on Disabilities|Section 42-51-3 - Officers.

§ 42-51-3. Officers.The governor shall designate one member of the commission to serve as its chairperson during the governor's term of office or until he or she appoints another member of the commission to serve in that capacity. The commission shall elect from its own membership a vice-chairperson, who shall serve until his or her successor is elected, and who is authorized to act as chairperson pro tempore of the commission should there be a vacancy for any cause in the office of the chairperson. The commission shall elect from its own membership other officers it deems necessary. The commission shall appoint an executive secretary to serve as executive officer and secretary of the commission, who shall be a full time employee. The commission may appoint additional personnel as may be necessary for the efficient performance of the duties prescribed by this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1970, ch. 159, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 62, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 215, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-51-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-51 - Governor's Commission on Disabilities|Section 42-51-4 - Term of office.

§ 42-51-4. Term of office.(a) Of the number of members appointed originally under this chapter, one-third (⅓) shall be appointed for a term of one year; one-third (⅓) shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years; and one-third (⅓) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. Thereafter, vacancies created by the expiration of terms shall be filled with appointments for terms of three (3) years. Members whose terms expire may be reappointed to succeed themselves.(b) Effective on July 1, 2014, of the number of members appointed between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015, two (2) shall be appointed for a term of one year; two (2) shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years; and six (6) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. Thereafter, vacancies created by the expiration of terms shall be filled with appointments for terms of three (3) years. Members whose terms expire may be reappointed to succeed themselves.History of Section.P.L. 1970, ch. 159, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 62, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 100, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 139, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-51-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-51 - Governor's Commission on Disabilities|Section 42-51-5 - Compensation and expenses.

§ 42-51-5. Compensation and expenses.The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but may, at the discretion of the governor, be reimbursed for traveling and other expenses actually incurred in the performance of their official duties.History of Section.P.L. 1970, ch. 159, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 62, § 2.