2014 -- H 7221

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LC003405

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND ADOPT A

MANDATORY CHILD ABUSE/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ANIMAL ABUSE CROSS

REPORTING SYSTEM

     Introduced By: Representatives Morgan, Trillo, Costa, Newberry, and Chippendale

     Date Introduced: January 29, 2014

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     WHEREAS, The District of Columbia, Illinois, Connecticut, and West Virginia have

fully mandated two-way cross reporting, in which animal/welfare personnel must report to each

other; and

     WHEREAS, There is a well-documented link between animal abusers and those who

commit other acts of violence, especially of domestic violence and child abuse; and

     WHEREAS, Animal control and humane officers that have first-hand knowledge of

animal abuse may also have knowledge of domestic violence and child abuse; and

     WHEREAS, The Department of Children, Youth and Families has first-hand knowledge

of domestic violence and may also have knowledge of animal abuse; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests that all child protection/domestic violence

case workers report suspected animal abuse to animal control/humane officer agencies; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests that all animal control and humane officers

must report suspected child abuse and/or domestic violence to Child Protection/Domestic

Violence agencies; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Grange Legislative Director.

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LC003405

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