Senate passes Ruggerio legislation establishing a statewide public safety records management system
STATE HOUSE — The Senate today passed legislation introduced by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) that would establish a statewide public safety records management system.
The legislation (2021-S 0059A) would replace the current system used by local law enforcement, which has become technologically obsolete.
“This bill would ensure that law enforcement agencies would all be on the same record-keeping system as we move to a more up-to-date technology,” said President Ruggerio. “Without this policy enacted, law enforcement agencies would be forced to choose their own vendors, resulting in a hodge-podge of different incompatible systems, which would certainly not be in the best interest of public safety.”
With the support of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, nearly every state law enforcement agency has indicated it would participate in the statewide RMS.
The system, which would include both dispatch and records management, would require a participatory fee from local departments. The system would be managed by the Department of Public Safety with input from an advisory board, which would be made up of various law enforcement officers and transportation officials.
The legislation also would make the Department of Public Safety responsible for safeguarding all information within the system as well as complying with federal and state privacy rules. The agency would be directed to develop and implement a privacy policy to ensure those safeguards.
The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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The Supreme Court will hear arguments Thursday on Donald Trump's claim he has absolute immunity on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election. The outcome could determine whether Trump faces a federal trial this year on four felony counts brought by special counsel Jack Smith, which include conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding. Trump's legal team argues the former president should have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for any official acts taken while in office. 
