2014 -- S 2104

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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 TOWNS AND CITIES - GENERAL POWERS - BACKGROUND CHECKS

     Introduced By: Senator P Fogarty

     Date Introduced: January 21, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-2-3.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-2 entitled "General

Powers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-2-3.3. Background checks. -- Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any

municipal recreation department may request a background check from their local police

department for any employee or volunteer serving their community. Notwithstanding any

provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, any person seeking to work or volunteer

for a municipal recreation department, or any municipal recreation department having the written

authorization of a person seeking to work or volunteer for the municipal recreation department,

may request a Rhode Island criminal history background check from their local police department

for that person. The Rhode Island criminal history background check shall be a certified true copy

of the criminal record report and shall bear indicia of authenticity including being printed on local

police department letterhead with a raised seal and bearing the signature of a duly appointed local

police officer.

     Further, notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, any

person seeking to work or volunteer for a fire department or fire district located in the town of

Burrillville, or any fire department or fire district having the written authorization of a person

seeking to work or volunteer for the fire department or fire district located in the town of

Burrillville, may request a Rhode Island criminal history background check from the Burrillville

Police Department for that person. The Rhode Island criminal history background check shall be

a certified true copy of the criminal record report and shall bear indicia of authenticity including

being printed on Burrillville Police Department letterhead with a raised seal and bearing the

signature of a duly appointed Burrillville Police Officer.

     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 TOWNS AND CITIES - GENERAL POWERS - BACKGROUND CHECKS

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     This act would require municipal recreation departments to obtain written authorization

to perform a background check on a volunteer or employee.

     This act would also authorize any fire district or fire department located in the Town of

Burrillville to request written authorization to perform a background check from their local police

department for any employee or volunteer serving their community as a firefighter or employee

of the fire district.

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