HB 7576 Rhode Island House · 2026 Regular Session

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

HB 7576 makes traffic accident data a public record under state law, meaning anyone can request this information through standard public records procedures. However, the bill explicitly states that this data cannot be used for purposes prohibited by federal law (23 U.S.C. § 407), such as in certain damage lawsuits. Public agencies providing this data must include written notice about these federal usage restrictions when releasing the records. This change directly affects residents seeking traffic accident information and public agencies managing such records.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Jun 2026
House Passage
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed Jun 19, 2026
Floor votes · House Jun 3, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Jun 19, 2026
Signed into law
06/19/2026 Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
06/11/2026 Senate passed in concurrence
upper
Jun 9, 2026
Legislature · Passed
06/09/2026 Committee recommends passage in concurrence
legislature
Jun 5, 2026
Committee
06/05/2026 Referred to Senate Judiciary
upper
Jun 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
06/03/2026 House read and passed
lower
May 28, 2026
Legislature · Passed
05/28/2026 Committee recommends passage
legislature
Mar 31, 2026
Committee
03/31/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
legislature
Feb 6, 2026
Introduced
02/06/2026 Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections
lower
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors