From WPRI.com:
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Gov. Lincoln Chafee on Tuesday signed a reworked public records bill into law that unseals government employment contracts and creates a so-called "balancing test" for disclosures modeled after federal statute.
The new law is the first significant change to the state's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) in 14 years and Chafee said he hopes it will make government more transparent in Rhode Island.
Also, see NFOIC supports Rhode Island public records improvements.
Ken Bunting, executive director of NFOIC, says: "Every once in a while, the pro-transparency forces get to play offense (not defense) in the legislative arena, and the good guys still win. This is great news to hear! Obviously, those of us at NFOIC are especially proud of the role that NEFAC and Access/RI played, as well as all of their on-the-ground, in-the-trenches allies."
You may also want to check out http://www.wpri.com/dpp/target_12/gov-signs-public-records-bill-into-law and http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/06/chafee-signs-bi.html.