Provides any police report involving a railroad fatality and all communications between railroad employees not be made public. Additionally, it makes a violation of this section a misdemeanor.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would make police reports related to railroad deaths and internal communications between railroad employees confidential — meaning they could not be released to the public. Currently, many government records in Rhode Island can be accessed by ordinary citizens, journalists, or researchers through public records requests. This legislation would create a specific exception to that openness for information connected to fatal railroad incidents.

The bill also adds a legal penalty for anyone who violates this secrecy requirement. Releasing these records without authorization would be classified as a misdemeanor, which is a criminal offense that can carry fines or potential jail time depending on how the law is applied.

This bill would most directly affect journalists, researchers, grieving families, and members of the public who might want to understand the circumstances surrounding a railroad death. It would also affect railroad companies and law enforcement agencies, who would be legally required to keep this information private. Supporters of such measures often argue they protect sensitive investigations or prevent exploitation of tragedy, while critics often raise concerns about government transparency and the public's right to know about safety incidents on shared transportation infrastructure.

As of now, the bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee and recommended to be held for further study, meaning it has not yet advanced toward becoming law.