Michael Field, Special Assistant Attorney General

Information

• Search OMA/APRA Findings & Opinions
• E-mail
• Phone: (401) 274-4400
• Open Government Summit Booklet
• Open Government Summit PowerPoint Presentation 2009

The Department of Attorney General is charged by statute to investigate citizen complaints arising under the Access to Public Records Act, R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-8(b), and the Open Meetings Act, R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-8(a). The Access to Public Records Act is a chapter of the Rhode Island General Laws designed to provide access to public documents. The Open Meetings Act is a chapter of the Rhode Island General Laws designed to ensure that the business of government is conducted in an open manner thus allowing public participation in their government.

If you believe your rights under one of these laws have been violated, we encourage you to file a complaint with this Department. You should send your complaint, and any supporting materials to:

Laura Marasco, Special Assistant Attorney General
Rhode Island Department of Attorney General
150 South Main Street
Providence, RI 02903

The Department also issues advisory opinions to public bodies concerning any pending matter that may implicate either the Open Meetings or Access to Public Records Acts. The Department issues two types of advisory opinions: oral/telephonic advisory opinions, which are not binding upon the Department of Attorney General, and written advisory opinions, which express the opinion of this Department. Requests for advisory opinions must be made by legal counsel for the public body.

Links to full text copies of our written advisory opinions and findings are provided below for your convenience. To learn more about the Access to Public Records Act and Open Meetings Act, we encourage you to download a copy of the Attorney General's Guide to Open Government.

If you wish to make an APRA request for documents maintained by the Department of Attorney General, click here for a copy of our APRA policy and our APRA request form. Requests for records maintained by other state or local governmental entities should be sent directly to those entities.