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July 3, 2008

Update: 'Quash and destroy,' open records among vetoes

PROVIDENCE -- A bill that would "quash and destroy" criminal records in certain cases and another that would speed access to public records are among those vetoed by Governor Carcieri, who sent along a batch off 22 bills with veto messages this morning.

Passed by lawmakers in their recently-ended session over the objections of the governor, state police and attorney general, the quash and destroy bill, H-7583, would have destroyed after five years, in most cases, the records of people given “deferred” prison sentences after pleading no contest or guilty to a crime.

Advocates said clean records are essential to the kinds of jobs that would provide an individual a second chance. But opponents questioned how employers, including nursing homes, child care centers and the state can do required background checks if criminal records are erased.

Current law allows a judge to expunge a single nonviolent offense from the record of a first-time offender five years after the individual has completed a sentence for a misdemeanor, 10 years after completing a sentence for a felony.

The changes in the state’s Open Records Law in H-7422 cut to 7 days from 10 the time the public and the media must wait to receive requested public records. The legislation also required the release of basic arrest information within 24 hours.

Some of the vetoes had previously been announced, including a renewable-energy bill designed to foster private investment in major projects and shift the state away from its reliance on traditional fossil fuels.

Here is a list provided this morning by the governor's office of the bill numbers and their titles. More to come...

-- With reports from Journal archives

House Bill No.7221 - AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - FRAUD AND FALSE DEALING

House Bill No.7238 - AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RHODE ISLAND RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION

House Bill No.7264 SUB A - AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

House Bill No.7327 SUB A - AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES

House Bill No.7361 - AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1990

House Bill No.7422 SUB A - AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

House Bill No.7442 SUB A - AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIFE SETTLEMENTS ACT

House Bill No.7457 SUB A as amended - AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STATE POLICE

House Bill No.7490 SUB A - AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIABILITY INSURANCE

House Bill No.7583 as amended - AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURES -- SENTENCING AND EXECUTION

House Bill No.7707 - AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS

House Bill No.7817 SUB A as amended - AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT

House Bill No.7872 SUB A - AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CENTER FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS ACT

House Resolution No.7888 SUB A as amended - JOINT RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE EDWARD O. HAWKINS AND THOMAS C. SLATER MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT

House Bill No.7916 SUB A as amended - AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

House Bill No.8027 as amended - AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RESTRICTING RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICES

House Bill No.8190 as amended - AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION

House Bill No.8231 SUB A - AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY

House Bill No.8331 SUB A - AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION

House Bill No.8386 - AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

House Bill No.8405 - AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- LICENSED ACTIVITIES

House Bill No.8436 - AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HEALTH AND EDUCATION BUILDING CORPORATION

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 12:50 PM | Permalink

Comments

Classic Rethuglican trick: News dump the day before a holiday weekend. Thanks, George Bush, I mean Carcieri!

Dr. Arino | July 3, 2008 12:03 PM link

Thanks, Gov. for vetoing that bill to erase criminal records. As an elderly person, I fear what that would have done by letting felons get jobs in care situations.

trudy | July 3, 2008 3:38 PM link

"Dr." Arino,
Thanks for your smarmy, liberal jab at our great President. Maybe you should stick to your inane/insightful comments on the weather.

Hickok | July 3, 2008 5:56 PM link

So he vetoed easier access to open records. I'm not surprised. Moreover, I find it telling that the text of his veto messages is nearly impossible to track down. How's that for open government?

Dub Not Dubya | July 3, 2008 10:54 PM link

Destroying criminal records is lunacy

Steve | July 4, 2008 5:09 AM link

Thank God the Governor is watching the store, or the self-serving, pocket lining, "Gotta take care of my frind" liberals would be shoveling the dirt over us already.

Joe G | July 4, 2008 7:43 AM link

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