The Department of Health and Office of Drinking Water Quality ("DOH" and "DWQ") violated that APRA when it failed to timely respond to the Complainant's APRA request dated April 2, 2014. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-7. We have concerns whether the DOH and DWQ's violation amount to a "knowing and willful" or "reckless" violation. See Boss v. Woonsocket Superintendent's Office, PR 13-19; Scripps News v. Rhode Island Department of Business Regulations, PR 14-07. Thus, the DOH and DWQ was allowed ten (10) business days to provide a response explaining why this Department should not find this violation knowing and willful, or alternatively, reckless, in light of the APRA requirements and this Department's precedent. A supplemental finding will follow.
