2015 -- H 5651

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LC001563

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Blazejewski, Almeida, Slater, Bennett, and Regunberg

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 12-29 of the General Laws entitled "Domestic Violence Prevention

Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     12-29-12.1. Domestic violence prevention fund -- Policy. -- The general assembly finds

and declares that domestic violence is a serious public health concern in the state of Rhode Island,

and that evidence-based domestic violence prevention programs are important tools in decreasing

the continuing toll that domestic violence takes on Rhode Island communities, cities and towns. It

is therefore in the best interest of the state to establish a fund to promote effective programs

working towards the primary prevention of domestic violence in Rhode Island.

     12-29-12.2. Domestic violence prevention fund. -- (a) There is created the domestic

violence prevention fund program, to be administered by the Rhode Island Coalition Against

Domestic Violence.

     (b) The domestic violence prevention fund program monies shall be used to fund

evidence-based programs with the purpose of primary prevention of domestic violence and dating

violence in the state of Rhode Island.

     (c) The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence shall convene a statewide

prevention fund advisory committee comprised of those with knowledge, experience, and/or

expertise in the field of domestic violence and dating violence primary prevention. These

members shall include, but are not limited to, the executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition

Against Domestic Violence or his/her designee; the director of the department of health or his/her

designee; the director of the department of human services or his/her designee; the attorney

general or his/her designee; and representatives of organizations providing domestic violence and

dating violence primary prevention services in Rhode Island.

     (d) The prevention fund advisory committee's responsibilities shall include the following:

     (1) Develop a plan for distribution of funds;

     (2) Develop criteria for awarding funds;

     (3) Issue requests for proposals;

     (4) Review proposals for the funds and present recommendations to the board of directors

of the Rhode Island coalition against domestic violence;

     (5) Monitor the expenditure of funds and produce an annual report on the activities of the

domestic violence prevention fund; and

     (6) Promote the general development of domestic violence primary prevention programs

and activities.

     (e) Organizations submitting proposals for funds shall not participate in the review of

proposals or expenditures of funds. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence shall

not be eligible to submit proposals for the coalition's programs.

     (f) The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence may utilize up to ten percent

(10%) of the sums collected for the domestic violence prevention fund for the purpose of

administering the program.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 15-2 of the General Laws entitled "Marriage Licenses" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     15-2-9.2. Additional fee for domestic violence prevention fund. -- (a) For each license

the town or city clerk shall charge and receive an additional fee of forty-six dollars ($46.00), of

which he or she shall retain two dollars ($2.00) and shall transmit forty-four dollars ($44.00) to

the general treasurer for deposit to the credit of the domestic violence prevention fund created by

§ 12-29-12.2.

     (b) Each clerk shall keep an accurate account of all fees charged and received under this

section and shall transmit all sums due to the general treasurer at least monthly in the manner and

with the forms which the general treasurer shall prescribe.

     (c) The general treasurer shall transmit the balance of the domestic violence prevention

fund to the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence on an monthly basis, to be

distributed by the coalition in accordance with § 12-29-12.2.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on September 1, 2015.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

***

     This act would create the domestic violence prevention fund program, to be administered

by the Rhode Island coalition against domestic violence. Funding would come from additional

fees for marriage licenses and would be used to promote effective programs to prevent of

domestic violence.

     This act would take effect on September 1, 2015.

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