(a)  The state archivist under the direction of the secretary of state shall be responsible for the proper administration of permanent records, including public records with a minimum retention of twenty (20) years, possessing enduring value pursuant to § 38-3-6. It shall be his or her duty to determine and direct the administrative and technical procedures of the division. He or she shall study the problems of preservation and disposition of records as defined in this chapter and based on the study shall formulate and put into effect, to the extent authorized by law, within the division or otherwise, such programs as he or she deems advisable or necessary for public records of permanent historical or other value by agencies of the state or political subdivisions thereof.

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(b)  The state archives shall reserve and administer those records as shall be transferred to its custody, and accept, arrange, and preserve them, according to approved archival practices and permit them at reasonable times and under the supervision of the division to be inspected, examined, and copied; provided that any record placed in the keeping of the division under special terms or conditions restricting their use shall be made accessible only in accordance with such terms and conditions.

(c)  The state archivist shall cooperate with and assist insofar as practicable, state institutions, departments, agencies, the counties, municipalities, and individuals engaged in activities in the field of state archives, manuscripts, and accept from any person any papers, books, records, and similar materials that in the judgment of the division warrant preservation in the state archives.

(d)  Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the state archivist may delegate any of the functions of the state archivist to officers and employees of the division as the state archivist may deem to be necessary or appropriate. A delegation of the functions by the state archivist shall not relieve the state archivist of responsibility for the administration of the functions.

(e)  The secretary of state may organize the division as he or she finds necessary or appropriate.

(f)  The secretary of state may establish advisory committees to provide advice with respect to any function of the state archivist or the division. Members of any such committee shall serve without compensation.

(g)  The state archivist shall advise and consult with interested federal, state, and local agencies with a view to obtaining their advice and assistance in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.

(h)  The state archivist shall provide a public research room where, under policies established by the division, the materials in the state archives may be studied.

(i)  The state archivist shall conduct, promote, and encourage research in Rhode Island history, government, and culture, and maintain a program of information, assistance, coordination, and guidance for public officials, educational institutions, libraries, the scholarly community, and the general public engaged in such research.

(j)  The state archivist, with the approval of the secretary of state, shall cooperate with and, insofar as practicable, assist agencies, libraries, institutions, and individuals in projects designed to preserve original source materials relating to the state history, government, and culture, and prepare and publish in cooperation with the public records administration, handbooks, guides, indexes, and other literature directed toward encouraging the preservation and use of the state’s documentary resources.

(k) – (m)  [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 127, § 1 and P.L. 2022, ch. 128, § 1.]