2025 -- H 5523
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LC001065
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS
Introduced By: Representatives Felix, J. Lombardi, Batista, Hull, Tanzi, Giraldo, Stewart,
Potter, Cruz, and Morales
Date Introduced: February 13, 2025
Referred To: House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 42-46 of the General Laws entitled "Open Meetings" is hereby 1
amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
42-46-15. Translation and interpretation services. 3
(a) All public bodies shall develop a translation assistance plan setting forth the steps 4
necessary to ensure that all open meetings of said bodies shall have the proceedings accessible to 5
an individual in a language they understand, upon request, including American Sign Language 6
(ASL). 7
(b) The public body shall implement the translation assistance plan under this section by 8
September 1, 2026. 9
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 10
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LC001065
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LC001065 - Page 2 of 2
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS
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This act would require public bodies to offer translation services for all open meetings of 1
said bodies. 2
This act would take effect upon passage. 3
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LC001065
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