§ 38-3-5.1 - Reproduction of public records – Destruction of original records. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 38-3-5.1

   § 38-3-5.1  Reproduction of public records– Destruction of original records. – If any department or agency of government, in the regular course of business oractivity, has kept or recorded any memorandum, writing, state tax returns,report, application, payment, entry, print, representation, or combinationthereof, or any act, transaction, occurrence, or event, and, in the regularcourse of business, has caused any or all of the records to be recorded,copied, or reproduced by a photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card,optical disk, miniature photographic, or other process which accuratelyreproduces or forms a durable medium for reproducing the original, the originalmay be destroyed in the regular course of business, provided the process meetsstandards established by the public records administration, and provided allthe provisions of § 38-3-6 concerning disposal of public records arefulfilled. The reproduction, when satisfactorily identified, shall beadmissible in evidence as the original in any judicial or administrativeproceeding whether or not the original exists or is available and anenlargement or facsimile of the reproduction shall be likewise admissible inevidence if the original is in existence and available for inspection under thedirection of the court. The introduction of a reproduced record, enlargement,or facsimile into evidence shall not preclude the admission into evidence ofthe original. This section shall not be construed to exclude from introductioninto evidence any document or copy thereof which is otherwise admissible underthe Rhode Island general laws, as amended.