R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-5: Effect of chapter on broader agency publication — Existing rights — Judicial records and proceedings.

Nothing in this chapter shall be:

(1) Construed as preventing any public body from opening its records concerning the administration of the body to public inspection;

(2) Construed as limiting the right of access as it existed prior to July 1, 1979, of an individual who is the subject of a record to the information contained herein; or

(3) Deemed in any manner to affect the status of judicial records as they existed prior to July 1, 1979, nor to affect the rights of litigants in either criminal or civil proceedings, including parties to administrative proceedings, under the laws of discovery of this state.