Raimondo Closes DMV Satellite Offices, Announces Changes to State Services & Open Meetings Law
GoLocalProv News Team and Reynaldo Almonte
Raimondo Closes DMV Satellite Offices, Announces Changes to State Services & Open Meetings Law
"The State House will be closed to visitors until further notice," said Raimondo. "This is consistent with our message. If it’s not essential, don’t do it."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The Department of Human Services and Health Exchange — were are making changes…without having to come in the office," she said.
"As of [Tuesday] morning — the Department of Human Services and HSRI will no longer be conducting in-person business. Applications, renewals, and changes in benefits -- people can drop off paper applications in boxes outside the location," she said.
Changes to State Government
Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott announced that customer-facing services at the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), Department of Labor and Training (DLT), and HealthSource RI will be moving to online and telephone-only services until further notice. This includes all new applications, renewals, or changes in benefits. Individuals who need to drop off paper applications will be able to do so without speaking with a customer service representative.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced earlier Monday that licensing road tests will be canceled through the end of the week. In addition, beginning Tuesday, all DMV satellite offices will be closed. (Closures of the satellite locations in Westerly and Warren had previously been announced).
The Cranston DMV will also be suspending personal driver license and registration services through the end of the week. To ensure customers are not penalized for the actions, the DMV will be extending any driver licenses and registrations scheduled to expire by 30 days. Through the end of this week, the Cranston DMV will be providing only the following limited services: dealer appointments, adjudications, and commercial drivers licenses. Rhode Islanders are encouraged not to go to the DMV this week unless absolutely necessary.
Beginning next Monday, March 23, the DMV will begin taking clients for all services by appointment only. Officials are urging Rhode Islanders to check the DMV website to confirm an appointment before visiting the DMV next week.
On Tuesday, the Governor signed an Executive Order allowing all Rhode Island public entities to conduct meetings online or over the phone and extending the timeline for public records requests. The Attorney General’s Office worked with the Governor’s team and other stakeholders on identifying these appropriate temporary measures for both the Open Meetings Act and the Access to Public Records Act to ensure that government can continue to operate as openly and transparently as possible.
"In the next 30 days — if there is no critical action I ask you to postpone it," said Raimondo of open meetings. "If you have to conduct business — do it by phone or video conference. I’ll be suspending the open meetings act [with] one important condition, you must make a provision for members of the public to participate. A call-in line, video conference — the public has to be able to call in."