Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-4 (2026)

Closed meetings

✓ current as of July 2026

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(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 that 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).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1982–2026 · leading case: Rhode Island Affiliate, Am. Civil Liberties Union, Inc. v. Bernasconi, 557 A.2d 1232 (R.I. 1989).

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Rhode Island Affiliate, Am. Civil Liberties Union, Inc. v. Bernasconi, 557 A.2d 1232 (R.I. 1989). · cites it 3× “Assuming, as required, that all allegations in the complaint are true, we find that the topic of a drug search falls within the statutory guidelines enunciated in §§ 42-46-4 and 42-46-5. This topic clearly implicates security matters as contemplated by § 42-46-5(a)(3).”

Roberts v. City of Cranston Zoning Bd. of Review, 448 A.2d 779 (R.I. 1982). “Additionally, §§ 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 exempt specified meetings of public bodies from the open-meetings requirement.”

Ri Affiliate, Acclu v. Bernasconi, 557 A.2d 1232 (R.I. 1989). · cites it 3× “Assuming, as required, that all allegations in the complaint are true, we find that the topic of a drug search falls within the statutory guidelines enunciated in §§ 42-46-4 and 42-46-5. This topic clearly implicates security matters as contemplated by § 42-46-5(a)(3).”

Nicole Solas v. South Kingstown Sch. Comm. (R.I. 2026). “To effectuate its purpose, the act requires that “[e]very meeting of all public bodies shall be open to the public unless closed pursuant to §§ 42-46-4 -9- and 42-46-5.” Section 42-46-3.”

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