2014 -- H 7019

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LC003102

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMAL ABUSE -- OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY

NOTIFICATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Canario, Edwards, Gallison, Finn, and Marshall

     Date Introduced: January 08, 2014

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 4 of the General Laws entitled "ANIMALS AND ANIMAL

HUSBANDRY" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 1.2

ANIMAL ABUSER REGISTRY

     4-1.2-1. Definitions. -- For purposes of this chapter, an "animal abuser" means a person

over eighteen (18) years of age who has been convicted of a felony violation of any Rhode Island

animal protection law or of any comparable statutes of another state.

     4-1.2-2. Offender registry. -- (a) Any convicted animal abuser physically within the

boundaries of Rhode Island for more than ten (10) consecutive days shall register with the police

department of the city or town in which the animal abuser is located, before the end of the

eleventh day in Rhode Island.

     (b) Any previously-registered animal abuser shall reregister with the police department of

the city or town in which the animal abuser is located, no later than ten (10) days after moving to

a new location within Rhode Island.

     4-1.2-3. Registrant information. -- (a) When an animal abuser registers with his or her

local police department, the animal abuser shall provide the following registration information:

     (1) His or Her legal name and any other names or aliases that he or she is using or has

used;

     (2) His or Her date of birth;

     (3) His or Her social security number;

     (4) His or Her current address or location;

     (5) His or Her place of employment;

     (6) The animal protection offense for which the he or she was convicted; and the date and

place of his or her conviction.

     (b) When an animal abuser registers with his or her police department, the department

shall obtain from him or her:

     (1) A photograph and a complete set of fingerprints; and

     (2) A description of any tattoos, scars or other distinguishing features that would assist in

identifying the individual.

     4-1.2-4. Registration frequency and duration. -- Following an individual’s initial

registration pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the individual shall annually renew his or

her registration with their police department, prior to December 31 of each subsequent calendar

year for a period of fifteen (15) years.

     4-1.2-5. Community notification. -- Each police department shall maintain a local

registry of animal abusers in the department's jurisdiction required to register pursuant to this

chapter.

     (1) The police department shall forward all registration information obtained from animal

abusers to the state attorney general.

     (2) Within ten (10) days of receiving initial registration information from an animal

abuser, the police department shall contact every residence, school, humane society, animal

shelter and any other business within a half (½) mile radius of the individual’s residence or

location and provide them with the individual’s identity and registration information, with the

exception of the individual’s social security number.

     4-1.2-6. State central registry. -- The state attorney general shall maintain a central

registry of animal abusers required to register pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The

central registry of animal abusers shall be made available to the public through internet access,

telephone access, written access and in-person access. All of the information contained in the

registration, with the exception of the individual social security numbers, shall be made available.

Records of each animal abuser's registration shall be maintained for the duration of the fifteen

(15) year period the individual is required to register.

     4-1.2-7. Penalty. -- An animal abuser who intentionally or knowingly fails to comply

with the registration requirements, or provides false information when complying with the

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registration requirement set forth in this chapter, shall be imprisoned not exceeding two (2) years

or be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000). In addition any person convicted under

this chapter is required to serve ten (10) hours of community restitution which may not be

suspended or deferred and is mandatory.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMAL ABUSE -- OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY

NOTIFICATION

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     This act would require persons who have been convicted of felony animal abuse to

annually register with his or her local police department for fifteen (15) years. It would require

the local police department to provide public notification of the animal abuser's identity,

registration and personal information.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003102

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