2015 -- H 5972 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

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LC002006/SUB A

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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 COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY

     Introduced By: Representative Cale P. Keable

     Date Introduced: March 25, 2015

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (Judiciary)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 3-12-1 and 3-12-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-12 entitled

"Enforcement of Title" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     3-12-1. Duty of deputy sheriffs, constables, and police officers -- Action on

taxpayer's demand Duty of deputy sheriffs, town constables, and police officers -- Action on

taxpayer's demand. -- Members of the division of sheriffs, and the city and town sergeants, town

constables, officers, or members of the town or city police, and members of the division of state

police, are empowered and it is made their duty to see that the provisions of this title and the rules

and regulations made or authorized by the department of business regulation and the division of

taxation are enforced within their counties, towns, and cities. It is their special duty to use their

utmost efforts to repress and prevent crime by the suppression of unlicensed liquor shops,

gambling places, and houses of ill fame, and they shall also do so on the request of any taxpayer

of any town or city and may command aid in the execution of the authority conferred. Any officer

within the above enumeration who willfully neglects or refuses to perform the duties imposed

upon him or her by this section shall be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) and be

rendered ineligible again to be appointed to this position; provided, that the officer may after

investigation, before taking any further action at the request of any taxpayer, demand that the

taxpayer requesting him or her to act give a bond to secure to that officer reasonable

compensation for his or her services and to protect him or her from all costs and damages that

may arise from that action.

     3-12-3. Entry on licensed premises -- Arrest without warrant -- Evidence of

unlawful sales. -- The mayor and council of any city or the town council or either member, or the

chief of police of any city or town, or any police officer, or any town constable specially

authorized by that city or town council, or any member of the division of state police, or agent of

the department of business regulation and the division of taxation, may at any time enter upon the

premises of any person licensed under this title, to ascertain the manner in which that person

conducts his or her business and to preserve order; and every chief of police, police officer, town

constable or member of the division of state police, has the power to arrest, without a warrant, all

persons found actually engaged, in the premises entered, in the commission of any offense in

violation of any of the provisions of this title, and to keep those persons arrested in custody until

they can be brought before some magistrate (but for a period not to exceed twenty-four (24)

hours) having the proper jurisdiction of that offense in that city or town, to be dealt with

according to law; and whenever any person is seen to drink any beverage in those premises, or in

any part of those premises, on any days or hours prohibited, under this title, it is evidence that

those beverages were sold and kept for sale by the occupant of those premises or his or her

authorized agent.

     SECTION 2. Sections 4-1-12 and 4-1-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-1 entitled

"Cruelty to Animals" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     4-1-12. Entry of premises where bird or animal fights are conducted -- Arrest --

Seizure of birds or animals. -- Any deputy sheriff, town sergeant, town constable, police officer

or any officer authorized to serve criminal process may enter any place, building, or tenement

anywhere within the state, where there is an exhibition of the fighting of birds or animals, or

where preparations are being made for that exhibition, and without a warrant, arrest all persons

present, and take possession of the birds or animals engaged in fighting, and all birds or animals

found there and intended to be used or engaged in fighting. Those persons shall be kept in

custody in jail or other convenient place not more than twenty-four (24) hours, Sundays and legal

holidays excepted, at or before the expiration of which time those persons shall be brought before

a district court or the superior court and proceeded against according to law.

     4-1-20. Duty of police officers -- Fines paid to society for prevention of cruelty to

animals. -- Any deputy sheriff, town constable or police officer shall prosecute all violations of

this chapter which come to his or her knowledge and all fines and forfeitures resulting from the

complaint of any officer or agent of the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals under this

chapter, shall enure and be paid over to the society in aid of the benevolent objects for which it

was incorporated.

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     SECTION 3. Section 5-2-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-2 entitled "Bowling Alleys,

Billiard Tables, and Shooting Galleries" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-2-4. Providence -- Regulation of bowling alleys. -- The bureau of licenses of the city

of Providence may regulate bowling alleys in that city and make orders as to the manner of

building and the hours of using bowling alleys; and in case an order is disobeyed, may issue their

warrant, directed to the city sergeant or to any town constable, commanding him or her to take up

and destroy any bowling alley kept in violation of that order; and every city sergeant or constable

to whom a warrant is delivered shall immediately execute the warrant.

     SECTION 4. Section 5-11-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-11 entitled "Hawkers and

Peddlers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-11-12. Arrest of violators -- Detention of merchandise. -- Any state police officer,

any police officer of any city or town who has probable cause to believe a person has violated the

provisions of this chapter, and any deputy sheriff, town sergeant, or town constable within his or

her precinct who has probable cause to believe a person has violated the provisions of this

chapter, may arrest that person, and may also detain any goods, wares, or other merchandise

which the arrested person has with him or her at the time of his or her arrest, for the purpose of

hawking and peddling; and the arresting officer detaining the goods, wares, or merchandise shall

be allowed a reasonable compensation for the safekeeping and care of the merchandise and

property, to be taxed in the costs of prosecution and conviction for the offense.

     SECTION 5. Section 5-22-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-22 entitled "Shows and

Exhibitions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-22-16. Appointment of officers to preserve order at shows. -- Town or city councils

may also appoint town constables or other proper officials, at the expense of the licensee, to

preserve order and to execute the orders of the city or town council at any such show, and to

report to the chief of police or the city or town sergeant any violation of the law and especially

any violation of § 5-22-23 that occurs during the show.

     SECTION 6. Section 8-5-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-5 entitled "Court

Secretaries, Court Reporters, and Electronic Court Reporters" is hereby amended to read as

follows:

     8-5-1. Supreme court secretary and assistant -- Powers of court attendants. -- The

supreme court may appoint a secretary and an assistant secretary, each of whom shall hold office

during its pleasure and shall perform such duties as may be required by the court. All court

attendants, when on duty, shall have the power of police constables.

     SECTION 7. Section 8-8.1-4.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-8.1 entitled "Domestic

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Assault" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     8-8.1-4.2. Return of service -- Alternate service. -- (a) The complaint and any order

issued under this chapter shall be personally served upon the defendant by a deputy sheriff or

certified constable except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (f) of this section. Service shall

be made without payment of any fee when service is made by a deputy sheriff. At the election of

the plaintiff, service pursuant to this subsection may also be made by a certified constable

licensed authorized to serve process of the district court pursuant to § 45-16-4.1 9-5-10.1. The

certified constable shall be entitled to receive the fee allowed by law for the service of a district

court summons.

      (b) Return of service shall be forwarded by the deputy sheriff or certified constable to the

clerk of court prior to the date set down for hearing on the complaint. If service has not been

made, the deputy sheriff or certified constable shall indicate on the summons the reason therefor

and the attempts made to serve the defendant.

      (c) At the time the return of service is sent to the clerk of the court, the deputy sheriff or

certified constable shall cause a copy of the return of service to be sent to the plaintiff and to the

appropriate law enforcement agency.

      (d) If, at the time of hearing on the complaint, the court determines that after diligent

effort the deputy sheriff or certified constable has been unable to serve the defendant personally,

the judge may order an alternate method of service designed to give reasonable notice of the

action to the defendant and taking into consideration the plaintiff's ability to afford the means of

service ordered. Alternative service shall include but not be limited to: service by certified and

regular mail at defendant's last known address (excluding the residence which he or she has been

ordered to vacate) or place of employment, leaving copies at the defendant's dwelling or usual

place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing therein, or by publication in a

newspaper for two (2) consecutive weeks. The court shall set a new date for hearing on the

complaint and shall extend the temporary order until that date.

      (e) If the defendant appears in person before the court, the necessity for further service is

waived and proof of service of that order is not necessary.

      (f) If the defendant is served notice regarding the complaint and hearing, but does not

appear at the hearing, the clerk of the district court shall mail the defendant a copy of the resulting

order.

     SECTION 8. Sections 9-5-6, 9-5-7, 9-5-10 and 9-5-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-

5 entitled "Writs, Summons and Process" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     9-5-6. Writs and process operating throughout state -- Officers to whom directed. --

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All writs, executions and process shall run throughout the state, and shall be directed for service

to the division of sheriffs, or to a certified constables constable, but if any deputy sheriff is a party

to the action or suit, the process, shall be directed to the town sergeant or a certified constable and

may be served by any one of them not a party to the action or suit.

     9-5-7. Direction of writs for arrest or execution against the body. -- All writs

whatsoever, commanding the arrest of a defendant, or executions running against the body of a

defendant, shall be directed for service only to the division of sheriffs or to a certified constable

authorized pursuant to § 9-5-10.1, or if the writ is to be served in the town of New Shoreham, it

may be directed to the town sergeant of the town, subject to the provisions of § 9-5-8, and no writ

of arrest shall be served by any other officer.

     9-5-10. Direction and return of district courts writs and summonses. -- Writs and

summonses issued by a district court shall be made returnable to the court at the place and on the

day and hour provided by law, to be named in the writs and summonses, and shall, except as

otherwise specifically provided, be directed to the division of sheriffs, or to either of the town

sergeants or constables to a certified constable licensed authorized pursuant to § 45-16-4.1 9-5-

10.1 of the county in which the action shall be brought, or pursuant to § 45-16-4.3 for statewide

service; provided, that writs of arrest and writs, summonses, and executions issued by a district

court in actions for possession of tenements or estates let or held at will or by sufferance shall be

directed to the division of sheriffs and service thereof shall be made by a member of the division

of sheriffs; and provided, further, that in actions wherein the debt or damages demanded exceed

three hundred dollars ($300), a town sergeant of the county in which the action is brought shall

have power to serve the writs or summonses only if his or her certificate of appointment has been

endorsed approving such use thereof by the judge of the district court having jurisdiction in the

city or town by which the sergeant was appointed or elected. In case any person upon whom it is

necessary to make service of any writ, summons, or execution issued by a district court is, or has

estate, in any other county than the one in which the action is brought, the writ, summons, or

execution may also be directed to and served by the like officer of such other county.

     9-5-15. Form for writs of replevin. -- Writs of replevin shall be substantially in the

following form:

WRIT OF REPLEVIN.

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.

     SC. To the sheriffs of our several counties and to their deputies, or to a certified

constable,

     (SEAL) Greeting:

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     We command you that you replevy, if to be found within your precinct, the goods and

chattels following, viz.: (Here enumerate and particularly describe them) belonging to

…………………….. of …………………… now taken (detained, or attached as the case may be)

by ……………………… of ……………………… at ………………………. in the county of

………………………. and them deliver unto the said ………………………………., provided

the same are not taken, attached, or detained upon original writ, mesne process, warrant of

distress, or upon execution as the property of the said ………………………………….; and

summon the said ………………….. to appear on the return-day hereof (said return-day being the

day of …………………….. A. D. 19…….) in the SUPERIOR COURT to be holden at the

county courthouse at …………………….., to answer unto the said …………………….. in a plea

of replevin that the said ………………….. on the day of …………………….. at said

………………… unlawfully, and without justifiable cause, took the goods and chattels of the

said …………………… as aforesaid, and them unlawfully detained unto this day, (or, unlawfully

detained the goods and chattels aforesaid, as the case may be) to the damage of the said

………………………., as he says, …………………… dollars.

     Hereof fail not, and make true return of this writ with your doings thereon, together with

the bond you shall take of the plaintiff.

     Witness, the seal of our superior court, at ……………………… this day of

…………………… in the year ……

, Clerk.

     SECTION 9. Chapter 9-5 of the General Laws entitled "Writs, Summons and Process" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     9-5-10.1. Certification of constables. – (a) A person at least twenty-one (21) years of

age who complies with the procedures and requirements set forth in any rules or regulations may

file an application with the department of business regulation requesting that the applicant be

certified as a constable. Such certification shall be effective for a period of two (2) years or until

such approval is withdrawn by the department of business regulation. Such certified constable

shall be entitled to serve or execute writs and process in such capacity for any court of the state,

anywhere in the state subject to any terms and limitations as set forth by the court, and in such

number as determined by the chief judge of the district court.

     (b) Certification process.

     (1) Application.

     (i) Any person seeking certification pursuant to this section shall complete an application

and submit it to the department of business regulation.

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     (ii) The application shall include evidence that demonstrates that he or she is physically

and mentally able to perform the functions, duties and responsibilities of serving process and

executing writs and shall include a criminal background check.

     (2) Referral to certified constables' board.

     (i) If the applicant has successfully completed the application, the department of business

regulation shall refer the applicant to the certified constables' board and shall provide a copy of

the applicant's application to the chief judge of the district court.

     (3) Training.

     (i) The applicant shall be recommended for training by the certified constables' board to

be conducted by a volunteer training constable. A training constable shall be a constable in good

standing for a minimum of ten (10) years and who is approved by the chief judge of the district

court to train prospective constables.

     (ii) Training shall consist of a minimum of ninety (90) hours to be completed within

ninety (90) days from the date of the referral by the board.

     (iii) Within thirty (30) days from the conclusion of training, a written report shall be

submitted by the training constable which reflects the dates and times of training and which

comments on the aptitude of the trainee.

     (4) Oral and written tests.

     (i) Upon the successful completion of the training period and recommendation from the

training constable, within ninety (90) days, the applicant shall complete an oral examination on

the legal and practical aspects of certified constables' duties which shall be administered by the

certified constables' board.

     (ii) Upon The successful completion of the oral examination, within sixty (60) days the

applicant must complete a written test approved by the chief judge of the district court which

measures the applicant's knowledge of state law and court procedure.

     (5) Final review.

     (i) The department of business regulation shall review the application, training record,

test scores, and such other information or documentation as required and shall determine within

sixty (60) days whether the applicant shall be approved for certification and the person authorized

to serve process in the state.

     9-5-10.2. Posting of bond by certified constables. -- Upon approval of the application

and training required by § 9-5-10.1, an applicant shall submit a certification fee in the amount of

four hundred dollars ($400) and deposit a bond with sufficient sureties to the clerk of the district

court in the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the faithful performance of the duties of his

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or her office conditioned to protect members of the public and persons contracting with the

certified constable against any damage arising from any actionable misconduct on the part of the

applicant while serving as a certified constable.

     9-5-10.3. Powers and authority of certified constables. – (a) No certified constable

shall display any badge or emblem in the course of his or her duties except that which is issued by

the department of business regulation, nor shall any certified constable misrepresent himself or

herself as a law enforcement officer or peace officer.

     (b) Certified constables shall have no power or authority other than to serve process and

execute writs as provided by this chapter.

     (c) The powers and authority of any constable who is presently approved to serve process

by the district court shall continue in full force and effect until such time that his or her

application for certification is approved in accordance with the certification process set forth in §

9-5-10.1, but in no event shall such period exceed two (2) years.

     9-5-10.4. Renewal of certification of certified constables. -- A certified constable shall

be required to renew his or her certification every two (2) years. Any certified constable failing to

renew his or her certification shall no longer be approved to serve as a certified constable. At the

time of renewal, the certified constable shall submit a renewal application and provide evidence

that he or she has completed ten (10) hours of approved continuing education in the areas of

service of process within the prior twenty-four (24) month period, along with proof of sufficient

bond, a current criminal background check, and current contact information.

     9-5-10.5. Suspension, revocation or review of certification of certified constables. –

(a)(1) Upon the receipt of written verified complaint or upon its own initiative, the director of the

department of business regulation shall ascertain the facts and, if warranted, hold a hearing for the

reprimand, suspension or revocation of a certification. The director, or his or her designee, has the

power to refuse a certification for cause or to suspend or revoke a certification or place an

applicant on probation for a period not to exceed one year upon a showing that the certification

was obtained by false representation, or by fraudulent act or conduct, or where a certified

constable, in performing or attempting to perform any of the acts mentioned in this section, is

found to have committed any of the following:

     (i) Inappropriate conduct which fails to promote public confidence including failure to

maintain impartiality, equity and fairness in the conduct of his or her duties;

     (ii) Neglect, misfeasance or malfeasance of his or her official duties;

     (iii) Failure to adhere to court policies, rules, procedures or regulations;

     (iv) Failure to maintain the highest standards of personal integrity, honesty and

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truthfulness; including misrepresentation, bad faith, dishonesty, incompetence, or an arrest or

conviction of a crime.

     (2) A copy of the determination of the department of business regulation or his or her

designee shall be forwarded to the chief judge of the district court within ten (10) business days.

     (b) Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the chief of any court from suspending

the certification of a constable to serve process within his or her respective court pending the

outcome of an investigation consistent with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42.

     9-5-10.6. Certified constables' board. – (a) There shall be created a certified constables'

board, which shall review each applicant and recommend him or her for training, conduct the oral

examination of each applicant, and which serve as a resource to the chief judge and the

department of business regulation in the consideration of the practical aspects of constable

practice. The board shall consist of five (5) members: two (2) who shall be constables in good

standing who have served for at least ten (10) years, one of whom shall be appointed by the

Rhode Island Constables, Inc. and one appointed by the Independent Constables Association,

Inc.; three (3) attorneys who shall be licensed to practice law by the supreme court in good

standing who shall be appointed by the chief judge of the district court. Members of the

constables' board shall serve for terms of five (5) years, until a successor is appointed and

qualified.

     (b) Upon request, the certified constables' board may attend hearings in order to furnish

advice to the department of business regulation. The board may also consult with the department

of business regulation from time to time on matters relating to constable certification.

     SECTION 10. Sections 9-10-1 and 9-10-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-10 entitled

"Selection of Jury" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     9-10-1. Notice by court of jurors required -- Notifications to sergeants and

constables. -- From time to time as occasion may require, the superior court or family court shall

direct notices to be sent by the clerk thereof to the jury commissioner that there will be required

for the county or counties for which the court is held a certain number of grand or petit jurors and

the time and place at which they are required to attend. And the jury commissioner on receiving

the notice shall take from the list of jurors qualified as provided in chapter 9 of this title, in the

order in which their names appear on the jury list, so many names as may be required to insure

the attendance of the number of jurors required by the court, and shall issue notifications to the

city or town sergeant or any certified constable of the town where the jurors reside, either in

person or by one of his or her assistants or by registered or certified mail, and under his or her

hand and seal, designating who are grand and petit jurors, and the time and place at which the

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jurors are required to attend. Upon consent of the town sergeant of the town where any juror

resides, the jury commissioner may retain the notifications for service by the jury commissioner

or his or her agents.

     9-10-2. Service of notice on jurors. -- The city or town sergeant or certified constable,

upon receipt of the notification as provided in section 9-10-1, shall forthwith make service of the

notification upon the persons named therein as jurors by delivering to each of them, or by leaving

at their last and usual place of abode, a notice substantially in the following form:

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

     Sc.

     TO ………………………………. Greeting:

     You are hereby notified that you have been drawn as a juror for the superior or family

court for the county (or counties) of ………………………. and you are required to attend the

said court be holden at ………………….on the ………………… day of ……………………, at

………………. o'clock in the forenoon.

     Sergeant.

     Constable.

     For warning each person the town sergeant or constable shall be paid fifty cents ($.50)

out of the town treasury. The jury commissioner or his or her agents, having retained the

notifications in accordance with § 9-10-1, shall forthwith serve the notifications in the same form

as contained in this section by regular mail.

     SECTION 11. Section 9-25-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-25 entitled "Execution"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     9-25-9. Form of superior court writs of possession. -- (a) Writs of possession issuing

from the superior court shall be substantially in the following form:

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.

     SC.

     To the sheriffs of our several counties or to their deputies or to a certified constable,

     (SEAL) ………………….; ……………………; Greeting:

     Whereas ………………. of …………… by the consideration of the SUPERIOR COURT

holden at ……………… did on the ………………… day of …………………. recover judgment

for the possession of …………………… with the privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging

against ……………………. of …………………….. who had unjustly withholden …………..

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from the possession thereof, and also by the consideration of the same court recovered judgment

against the said ……………………. for the sum ……………………… of costs of suit, as to us

appears of record, whereof execution remains to be done: We command you, therefore, that

without delay you cause the said ……………….. to have possession of and in the said

………………….. with the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging. We also command

you that of the goods and chattels and real estate of the said …………………, within your

precinct, you cause to be levied and paid to the said ………………… the aforesaid sum of

…………….. with 50 cents more for this writ, and thereof also to satisfy yourself for your own

fees; ]nd for want of the goods and chattels and real estate of the said …………. to be found in

your precinct to satisfy and pay the same as aforesaid, we command you to take the body of the

said ……………. and ……………… commit unto our correctional institution in your precinct,

therein to be kept until ……………….. pay the full sum above mentioned, with your fees, or until

…………….. be discharged by the said ………………. or otherwise by order of law.[

     Hereof fail not, and make true return of this writ and of your doings thereon to our

superior court at …………………… on the …………….. day of …………. A.D. ………..

     Witness, the seal of our superior court at ……………….. this …………….. day of

……………… in the year …….. , Clerk.

      (b) If an officer, serving an execution issued under this section on a judgment for the

plaintiff for possession of land or tenements, removes personal property belonging to a person

other than the plaintiff from the land or tenements and places it upon the sidewalk, highway,

street, or way on which land or tenements abut, he or she may forthwith and before the expiration

of the time limited in any statute or ordinance for the removal of obstructions in the street,

remove the personal property and cause it to be stored for the benefit of the owners thereof.

     (c) Whoever accepts the personal property on storage from the officer shall have a lien

thereon for reasonable storage fees and for reasonable expenses of removing it to the place of

storage, but the lien shall not be enforced by sale of the property until the property has been kept

on storage for at least thirty (30) days.

     (d) If the owner of the property is present and claims it when it is so removed from the

land or tenements, the officer shall not remove and store it, and his or her act of placing it upon

the sidewalk, highway, street, or way shall be deemed to be the act of the owner, who alone shall

be held to answer therefor.

     SECTION 12. Section 11-8-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-8 entitled "Burglary and

Breaking and Entering" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-8-6. Entry to steal poultry -- Arrest -- Fine. -- Every person who breaks and enters,

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or enters in the nighttime without breaking, any building or enclosure in which are kept or

confined any kind of poultry, with intent to steal any of the poultry, shall be punished by

imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars

($500), or both. Every person who is discovered in the act of willfully entering any building or

enclosure in which are kept or confined any kind of poultry, with intent to steal any of the

poultry, may be arrested without a warrant by a deputy sheriff, town constable, guard, police

officer, or other person and detained in jail or otherwise until a complaint can be made against

him or her for the offense, and until he or she is taken on a warrant issued upon the complaint, but

detention without a warrant shall not continue more than twenty-four (24) hours. One-half (1/2)

of any fine imposed under this section shall inure to the complainant.

     SECTION 13. Section 11-12-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-12 entitled "Dueling

and Fighting" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-12-9. Arrest of fighters. -- A deputy sheriff, town sergeant, town constable or police

officer shall immediately arrest in any county any person violating any of the provisions of §§ 11-

12-6 -- 11-12-8, and shall detain the person until a warrant can be obtained for his or her arrest.

     SECTION 14. Section 11-17-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-17 entitled "Forgery

and Counterfeiting" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-17-11. Seizure and destruction of counterfeits and counterfeiting devices. --

Whenever the existence of any false, forged, or counterfeit bank bills or notes, or any plates, dies,

or other tools, instruments, or implements used by counterfeiters or designed for the forging or

making of any false or counterfeit notes, coin, or bills, shall come to the knowledge of any deputy

sheriff, town constable or police officer in this state, the officers shall immediately seize and take

possession of it and deliver it into the custody of the superior court for the county in which it shall

be, and the court shall, as soon as the ends of justice will permit, cause it to be destroyed by an

officer of the court, which officer shall make a return to the court of his or her doings in the

premises.

     SECTION 15. Section 11-30-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-30 entitled

"Nuisances" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-30-8. Entry by police officers of premises -- Commanding departure of persons

found. -- The sheriffs of the several counties and their deputies, and the town sergeants, town

constables, and chiefs of police of the several towns and cities may, within their respective towns

and counties, enter any house or building which they have cause to suspect to be inhabited for

purposes of prostitution and lewdness, to be resorted to by persons of ill fame or by persons of

dissolute, idle, or disorderly character, or in which they have reasonable cause to believe

LC002006/SUB A - Page 12 of 29

intoxicating liquors are sold in violation of law, or unlawful games are carried on or permitted, or

in which they have reasonable cause to believe a common nuisance is kept or maintained. Upon

entering the house or building they may command all persons assembled there to immediately

depart from the house or building. In the event of the neglect or refusal of any person so

commanded to leave, they may arrest that person and hold him or her for a period not exceeding

twenty-four (24) hours for prosecution. Every person who shall so refuse or neglect shall be

deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00) or be

imprisoned not exceeding thirty (30) days.

     SECTION 16. Section 11-43-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-43 entitled "Treason

and Related Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-43-10. Arrest and commitment of persons charged. -- Whenever any person shall

be adjudged to be probably guilty of any offense under this chapter, he or she may be committed

to the adult correctional institutions in any county, there to remain until discharged by order of

law, and warrant of commitment shall issue accordingly, directed to the division of sheriffs or to

either of the city or town sergeants or town constables in the same county with himself or herself,

and to the warden of the adult correctional institutions, which warrant may be executed by the

officer charged with it, although beyond his or her precinct, and shall constitute him or her, while

charged with it, an officer, the obstructing of whom, while in the execution of this office, shall be

punished as is or may be by law in other cases provided.

     SECTION 17. Section 11-44-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-44 entitled "Trespass

and Vandalism" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-44-3. Arrest and detention of persons taking fruits and vegetables. -- Every deputy

sheriff, town or city sergeant, town constable, or police officer, who shall discover any person or

persons in the act of taking and carrying away any growing fruit or vegetables as prohibited by §

11-44-2, shall arrest that person or persons and detain the person or persons in custody until a

complaint can be made against him, her, or them for the offense for which he, she, or they shall

have been arrested and until he, she, or they be taken on a warrant issued upon the complaint;

provided, that the arrest and detention without a warrant shall not continue longer than the space

of twenty-four (24) hours.

     SECTION 18. Section 11-47-43 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled

"Weapons" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-47-43. Collectors and police officers exempt from section 11-47-42. -- The

provisions of § 11-47-42, so far as they forbid the possession of certain instruments or weapons,

shall not apply to any person who possesses or is making a collection of the weapons as curios or

LC002006/SUB A - Page 13 of 29

for educational, professional, scientific, or any other lawful purpose, without intent to use the

instrument or weapon unlawfully. Nor shall the provisions of § 11-47-42, so far as they relate to

the possession or carrying of any billy, apply to sheriffs, town constables, police constables,

police, or other officers or guards whose duties require them to arrest or to keep and guard

prisoners or property, nor to any person summoned by those officers to aid them in the discharge

of their duties while actually engaged in their duties.

     SECTION 19. Section 12-1-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-1 entitled

"Identification and Apprehension of Criminals" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-1-14. Body attachment -- Nonsupport of children. -- (a) Any body attachment

issued by the family court in a case involving the bureau of family support relating to the

nonsupport of children shall be entered into the state and police telecommunications system

known as the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, "RILETS". The

family court shall be responsible for transmitting all body attachments and cancellations of them

to the attorney general's bureau of criminal identification for distributing the body attachment

information into RILETS. Within the body attachment, the information entered in RILETS shall

include date of birth and social security number when available. The family court shall be

responsible for transmitting information regarding all body attachments and cancellations to the

attorney general's bureau of criminal identification for entering the body attachment information

into RILETS. The family court shall transmit the original body attachment to the attorney

general's bureau of criminal identification.

      (b) Any peace officer as defined in § 12-7-21 or certified constable authorized pursuant

to § 9-5-10.1 shall have the authority to execute a body attachment as issued by the family court

pursuant to § 8-10-3.1.

     SECTION 20. Section 12-4-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-4 entitled

"Recognizance to Keep the Peace" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-4-2. Warrant to apprehend accused. -- If the complainant shall then, before the

judge or justice of the peace, enter into a recognizance in a sum not exceeding fifty dollars

($50.00), and with this surety, as the judge or justice of the peace shall direct and approve, with

condition to prosecute the complaint with effect, or in default of prosecution to pay the costs that

may accrue to the state, the judge or justice of the peace shall issue a warrant returnable

immediately, annexing to the warrant the complaint, or reciting its substance in it, directed to the

sheriff, deputy sheriffs, town sergeants, and town constables in the county in which the division

is, and to the like officers in the county in which the accused may be supposed to belong, reside,

or be found, and requiring the officer who shall be charged with the service of the warrant

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immediately to apprehend the accused and have him or her before the district court for the

division in which the offense shall be alleged to have been committed.

     SECTION 21. Section 12-6-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-6 entitled "Warrants for

Arrest" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-6-7. Warrants issued to other divisions. -- Whenever any judge of the district court,

or any justice of the peace, shall issue his or her warrant against any person charged with an

offense committed in a division of the district court, and the person so charged shall escape into,

reside, or be in any other county than the one in which the division is, the judge or justice of the

peace may direct his or her warrant to each and all deputy sheriffs, city or town sergeants, and

town constables within the state, requiring them to apprehend the person and bring him or her

before the division of the district court having jurisdiction of the offense, to be dealt with

according to law; the officers shall obey and execute the warrant, and be protected from

obstruction and assault in executing the warrant as in service of other process.

     SECTION 22. Section 12-7-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-7 entitled "Arrest" is

hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-7-17. Arrest of escapees and parole violators without warrant. -- The director of

the department of corrections, the warden of the adult correctional institutions, any superintendent

or employees connected with any institution under the management and control of the department

of corrections, or any police officer or town constable, may arrest, without a warrant any person

who has escaped from any institution, or who, being absent from the institution on parole, has

violated the conditions of the parole, for the purpose of returning the person to the institution

from which the escape was made or from which the parole was granted.

     SECTION 23. Section 12-13-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-13 entitled "Bail and

Recognizance" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-13-2. Warrant for apprehension of accused person. -- Any court before which an

indictment or information shall be found or be pending, and any court before which a complaint

shall be made or be pending, against any person for an offense of which the court has cognizance,

may issue a warrant directed to each and all deputy sheriffs, town sergeants, and town constables

within the state requiring them to apprehend the person and bring him or her before the court, if

the court is in session, or if not, to commit him or her to jail in the county in which the

indictment, information, or complaint is pending, there to be kept until he or she shall be brought

before the court, or until he or she shall give recognizance before some person authorized to take

recognizance for the offense, with sufficient surety or sureties in the sum named in the warrant, if

any sum is named in the warrant, and, if not, in the sum as the person taking the recognizance

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shall deem reasonable if the offense is bailable, to appear before the court in which the

indictment, information, or complaint is pending, at the time required by the person so taking the

recognizance, and to answer the indictment, information, or complaint; provided, that the prisoner

may give the recognizance while in the custody of the officer before he or she is committed to jail

before some person authorized to take recognizance for the offense, and upon taking

recognizance the officer shall discharge the prisoner from his or her custody. The officers to

whom the warrant shall be directed are required to obey and execute it, and in its execution shall

be protected from obstruction and assault, as in the service of other process.

     SECTION 24. Section 12-19-31 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-19 entitled "Sentence

and Execution" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-19-31. Commitment for nonpayment of fines and costs. -- Whenever any person

shall be committed for nonpayment of fines and costs, the sheriffs of the several counties and

their deputies, and the town sergeants and town constables of any town in the several counties,

upon due warrant from the court before whom the person has been convicted, may lawfully

remove and commit the persons to the adult correctional institutions, and they shall be allowed

any fees that are now provided by law in similar cases; provided, that in the counties of Newport

and Washington any person before removal from the county of Newport, or the county of

Washington, in which sentence is entered, may pay the fine and costs into the court or into the

office of the clerk of the court in which sentence is imposed, and upon payment shall be

discharged.

     SECTION 25. Section 12-21-23 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-21 entitled

"Recovery of Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-21-23. Seizure and retention of forfeited property. -- Whenever any personal

property shall be forfeited for any violation of law, any deputy sheriff, town sergeant, or town

constable, or any person by law authorized to seize the property, may take and retain the property

until he or she shall deliver it to a proper officer having a warrant to take and detain the property.

     SECTION 26. Section 15-15-4.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 15-15 entitled

"Domestic Abuse Prevention" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     15-15-4.1. Return of service/alternate service. -- (a) The complaint and any order

issued under this chapter shall be personally served upon the defendant by a member of the

division of sheriffs except as provided in subsections (c), (d) and (f) of this section. Service shall

be made without payment of any fee when service is made by a deputy sheriff. At the election of

the plaintiff, service, pursuant to the subsection, may also be made by a certified constable

authorized to serve process of the family court pursuant to § 45-16-4.3 §9-5-10.1. The constable

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shall be entitled to receive the fee allowed by law for the service of a family court summons.

Where the defendant is a minor, the complaint and any order issued under this chapter shall also

be personally served upon a parent or guardian of the minor.

      (b) Return of service shall be forwarded by the deputy sheriff or certified constable to the

clerk of court prior to the date set down for a hearing on the complaint. If service has not been

made, the deputy sheriff or constable shall indicate on the summons the reason and the attempts

made to serve the defendant.

      (c) At the time the return of service is sent to the clerk of the court, the deputy sheriff or

certified constable shall cause a copy of the return of service to be sent to the plaintiff and to the

appropriate law enforcement agency.

      (d) If, at the time of the hearing on the complaint, the court determines that after diligent

effort the deputy sheriff or certified constable has been unable to serve the defendant personally,

the judge may order an alternate method of service designed to give reasonable notice of the

action to the defendant and taking into consideration the plaintiff's ability to afford the means of

service ordered. Alternative service shall include, but not be limited to: service by certified and

regular mail at defendant's last known address (excluding the residence which he or she has been

ordered to vacate) or place of employment, leaving copies at the defendant's dwelling or usual

place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing at the defendant's dwelling or

usual place of abode, or by publication in a newspaper for two (2) consecutive weeks. The court

shall set a new date for the hearing on the complaint and shall extend the temporary order until

that date.

      (e) If the defendant appears in person before the court, the necessity for further service is

waived and proof of service of that order is not necessary.

      (f) If the defendant is served notice regarding the complaint and hearing, but does not

appear at the hearing, the clerk of the family court will mail the defendant a copy of the resulting

order.

     SECTION 27. Section 17-19-21 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19 entitled "Conduct

of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     17-19-21. Arrangement of polling places -- Election officials -- Police officers. -- (a)

The polling places shall be established, equipped, and furnished with the paraphernalia necessary

for the conduct of each election, by the officers and in the manner provided by this title. There

shall be placed, outside each polling place, a clearly marked sign to be provided by the state

board of elections indicating the location of the polling place. This sign shall be of a conspicuous

nature, and shall be visible from the street. The area within which the balloting is conducted shall

LC002006/SUB A - Page 17 of 29

be arranged with a guard rail having one place for entrance and another place for exit. The rail

shall be placed so that only persons admitted inside the rail can approach within five (5) feet of

any voting booth or optical scan precinct count unit. The voting booths and optical scan precinct

count unit shall be placed so that the warden and the clerk shall always have a clear view of the

front of each voting booth and the optical scan unit. It shall be the duty of the warden to direct the

location of the voting equipment in relation to the guard rail and the posts of the warden and the

clerk so as to enforce the requirements of this section.

      (b) One bipartisan pair of supervisors, the clerk, and the warden shall be stationed, in

that order, along the guard rail so that a voter desiring to cast a ballot will pass first in front of the

bipartisan pair, then in front of the clerk, and finally in front of the warden. A second bipartisan

pair shall be stationed within the guard rail and shall be available to relieve the first bipartisan

pair or the clerk, and to assist voters within the limits prescribed by this title. The second

bipartisan pair, when not engaged in the preceding duties, shall watch the voters in and about the

voting equipment and shall call to the attention of the warden any violation, or circumstance

suggesting a violation, of the provisions of this title.

      (c) The chiefs of police of cities and towns, and town sergeants of towns having no chief

of police, shall detail a certain number of police officers to each polling place as may be

requested by the local board. The police officers shall preserve order at each polling place and

within two hundred (200) feet of the polling place. It shall be the duty of every police officer or

other peace officer or town or police constable to arrest without warrant any person detected in

the act of violating the provisions of this chapter, but no arrest shall be made without the approval

of the warden.

      (d) The election officials provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be

provided with, and shall be required to prominently display upon their persons, identification

badges which shall designate that person as an election official. Powers and duties of all

designated election officials at polls shall be posted in a conspicuous and prominent location

within the voting place, preferably with the posted sample ballot.

     SECTION 28. Section 19-26-13 of the General Laws in Chapter 19-26 entitled

"Pawnbrokers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     19-26-13. Search of premises on warrant. -- Whenever complaint shall be made by any

person, on oath to a judge, that any property belonging to that person has been lodged or pledged

without his or her consent with any pawnbroker and that the complainant believes the property to

be in some house or place within the county where the complaint is made, the judge shall, if

satisfied of the reasonableness of that belief, issue a warrant directed to the division of sheriffs, or

LC002006/SUB A - Page 18 of 29

to either of the town sergeants or town constables in the county, commanding them to search for

the property alleged to have been so lodged or pledged and to seize and bring the property before

the division of the district court. The warrant shall be issued and served as search warrants are

now by law required to be issued and served.

     SECTION 29. Section 23-9-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-9 entitled "Quarantine

of Vessels" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-9-10. Enforcement by sheriffs, sergeants, and constables. -- Every sheriff, deputy

sheriff, town sergeant, and town constable shall carry the rules and regulations of the city or town

council within his or her precinct into effect.

     SECTION 30. Section 28-52-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-52 entitled

"Workplace Violence Protection" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     28-52-2. Workplace violence protection. -- (a) If an employer, or an employer's

employee(s) or invitee(s) have: (1) suffered unlawful violence by an individual; or (2) received a

threat of violence by an individual which can reasonably be construed as a threat which may be

carried out at the worksite; or (3) been stalked or harassed at the worksite; the employer may (in

addition to, or instead of, filing criminal charges against the individual) seek a temporary

restraining order, a preliminary injunction, and an injunction pursuant to Rule 65 of the Superior

Court Rules of Civil Procedure, prohibiting further unlawful acts by that individual at the

worksite, which shall include any place at which work is being performed on behalf of the

employer.

      (b) Proof (by affidavit in an ex parte hearing, or by a preponderance of the evidence in

any other hearing) of any action described in subsection (a) of this section shall constitute

irreparable harm or damage to the employer, or employer's employee(s) or invitee(s). Upon

granting of any restraining order, preliminary injunction, or injunction, the court may, among

other appropriate orders:

      (1) Order the defendant not to visit, assault, molest, or otherwise interfere with the

employer or the employer's operations, or the employer's employee(s) or invitee(s) at the

employer's worksite;

      (2) Order the defendant to cease stalking the employer's employee(s) or invitee(s) at the

employer's worksite;

      (3) Order the defendant to cease harassment of the employer or the employer's

employee(s) or invitee(s) at the employer's worksite;

      (4) Order the defendant not to abuse or injure the employer, including the employer's

property, or the employer's employee(s) or invitee(s) at the employer's worksite;

LC002006/SUB A - Page 19 of 29

      (5) Order the defendant not to telephone the employer or the employer's employee(s) or

invitee(s) at the employer's worksite;

      (6) Order any other necessary and appropriate relief as deemed appropriate in the

discretion of the court.

      (c) When necessary to protect the employer or the employer's employee(s), invitee(s), or

property, and when authorized by the court, temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions,

and injunctions granted pursuant to the provisions of this act may be served upon the defendant

by a peace officer, sheriff, certified constable, or policeman, or other officer whose duty it is to

preserve the peace, with appropriate orders to these officials to enforce the court's order.

      (d) All orders and injunctions issued pursuant to the provisions of this act shall have

statewide validity, unless specifically modified or terminated by the issuing judge, and may be

enforced by the issuing court for any violation anywhere in the state, and by any court of

competent jurisdiction within the state for violations which may occur within that court's

jurisdiction.

      (e) An employer and an employer's agents who act in accord with the provisions of this

act shall be presumed to be acting in good faith and, unless lack of good faith is shown by clear

and convincing evidence, are immune from civil liability for actions taken under this chapter.

      (f) Any employer, or its employee(s) or invitee(s), which does not utilize the procedures

authorized by this act, shall not be liable for negligence nor shall evidence of the same be

admissible as evidence of negligence.

      (g) In no event shall this chapter be construed to prevent lawful picketing or lawful

demonstrations including, but not limited to, those related to a labor dispute.

     SECTION 31. Section 30-9-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-9 entitled "Military

Property" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     30-9-11. Search warrant. -- Any court of the state empowered to issue search warrants,

on complaint on oath made to it by the adjutant general, by any commissioned officer authorized

by the adjutant general, or by, any commanding officer of any organization, unit, or separate

detachment of the national guard, that any arms, ammunition, uniforms, equipment, supplies, or

other military property of the state or for which the state is responsible is unlawfully being

withheld by any person within the jurisdiction of the court, and where the military property is

believed to be in a particular place specified in the complaint, shall issue to any deputy sheriff,

town sergeant, member of any municipal or state police, or town constable a warrant in the nature

of a search warrant, commanding him or her in the name of the state diligently to search the

house or place described therein, in the daytime and upon the finding of the military property the

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court issuing the warrant shall order the property to be delivered to the officer making the

complaint.

     SECTION 32. Section 31-2-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-2 entitled "Division of

Motor Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-2-3. Enforcement duties of administrator. -- (a) The administrator of the division of

motor vehicles is vested with the power and is charged with the duty of observing, administering

and enforcing the provisions of chapters 1 -- 50 of this title and of all laws regulating the

operation of vehicles, or the use of the highways, the enforcement or administration of which is

now or hereafter vested in the division of motor vehicles.

      (b) The administrator shall appoint any subordinates he or she may require for the proper

performance of his or her duties. The administrator and any subordinates designated by the

administrator shall have and exercise throughout this state the same authority to make arrests for

violations of statutes relating to motor vehicles and to enforce those statutes as police or town

constables have in their respective jurisdictions, including the power of arrest without warrant for

any violation of title 31. The administrator and any subordinates designated by the administrator

may serve all process lawfully issued by the administrator. Whenever a complaint is made of any

violation of the provisions of the aforementioned chapters by the administrator of the division of

motor vehicles, or those subordinates designated by him or her to enforce these provisions, he or

she shall not be required to furnish surety for cost or be liable for cost upon any complaint. The

administrator and any subordinates he or she may designate may bear and use firearms and may

be equipped with uniforms as prescribed by the administrator of motor vehicles in accordance

with the policing and enforcing provisions as prescribed by this section.

      (c) The administrator may provide for training for those persons designated with

authority to make arrests and shall issue to each such person credentials showing his or her

identity and these credentials shall be carried upon their person while in the discharge of his or

her duties.

      (d) At no time may any subordinate authorized to make arrests stop a motorist for any

violation of the motor vehicle law while the motorist is operating a vehicle upon any highway of

this state, unless that subordinate is operating or riding in a division of motor vehicles vehicle

which is plainly marked "Division of motor vehicles" or unless the motorist is fleeing from

pursuit by a division of motor vehicles officer.

      (e) The administrator may adopt any further regulations that he or she may deem

necessary to implement this section.

     SECTION 33. Section 32-3-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 32-3 entitled "Town

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Forests, Parks, and Recreation Systems" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     32-3-1. Local regulations -- Prosecution of violations. -- Town councils and city

councils may pass such ordinances, by-laws, and regulations as they may think proper in relation

to the care, management, and use of the public parks, squares, or grounds within the limits of

their respective towns or cities, and may prescribe punishment for the violation thereof by a fine

not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00) or by imprisonment not exceeding ten (10) days for each

offense. Every deputy sheriff, town sergeant, town constable, or police officer, or any officer

authorized to serve criminal process, may arrest without a warrant any person who does any

criminal act or willfully violates any of those ordinances, bylaw, or regulation in any of those

public parks, squares or grounds, and may detain that person until a complaint can be made

against him or her, and he or she can be taken upon a warrant issued upon that complaint;

provided, that the arrest and detention without a warrant shall not continue longer than the space

of six (6) hours when the arrest is made between the hours of 4 o'clock in the morning (4:00 a.m.)

and 8 o'clock in the evening (8:00 p.m.), and when made at any other hour, the person arrested

shall not be detained after 10 o'clock in the morning (10:00 a.m.) of the following day.

     SECTION 34. Section 34-18-48 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18 entitled

"Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     34-18-48. Execution. -- If no appeal is claimed, and if the judgment has not been

satisfied, execution shall be issued on the sixth (6th) day following judgment. Executions shall be

issued only to the division of sheriffs or certified constable. Every execution issued by any district

court pursuant to this chapter shall continue in full force and effect for one year after the date

thereof, and be returnable to the district court which issued it in accordance with the provisions of

§ 9-25-21. All costs including reasonable moving costs incurred by the division of sheriffs or

certified constable in carrying out the mandates of the execution may be added to the execution

by the clerk upon approval of the court upon presentment of evidence of the costs.

     SECTION 35. Section 34-21-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-21 entitled "Replevin"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     34-21-9. Form of writ of return and restoration. -- The writ of return and restoration

shall be substantially as follows:

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.

     SC.

     To the sheriffs and certified constables of our several counties, or

     (SEAL) to their deputies, Greeting:

     Whereas ………….. of ………………… in the county of ……………….. lately

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replevied the following goods and chattels, viz.: (here enumerate and particularly describe them)

which ……………………. of …………………….. in our county of ………………………. had

unlawfully taken (detained, or attached, as the case may be) as suggested, and caused

…………………. to be summoned to appear before our superior court to be held at

……………………….. to answer unto ……………………… for such unlawful taking

(detaining, or attaching, as the case may be) on the ……………. day of …………….. And

whereas, to our said court at its session held as aforesaid, upon a full hearing of the cause of the

taking (detaining, or attaching, as the case may be) it appeared that the taking (detaining, or

attaching, as the case may be) was lawful and justifiable, whereupon it was then and there by the

court considered that the same be returned and restored unto ……………………… irrepleviable,

and that ………………………… recover against ……………….. the sum of ………………….

dollars damages, for his or her taking the same by the process of replevin and his or her costs of

defense taxed at ……………………… as to us appears of record, whereof execution remains to

be done: we command you, therefore, that you forthwith return and restore the same goods and

chattels unto …………………… and also that of the goods and chattels and real estate of

…………………… within your precinct, you cause to be levied and paid unto the aforesaid

sums, being in the whole with twenty-five cents (25›) more for this writ, …………….. together

with your fees; and for want of such goods and chattels or real estate of ………………………. to

be by you found within your precinct, to satisfy and pay the sums aforesaid, we command you to

take the body of ……………………… and commit him or her to our correctional institution in

your precinct, therein to be kept until he or she pays the sums aforementioned, with your fees, or

until he or she is discharged by ……………………. or otherwise by order of law. Hereof fail not,

and make true return of this writ and your doings thereon, to our superior court on or before the

……………….. day of ……………

     Witness, the seal of our superior court at this ………. day of ……… in the year ….

      , Clerk.

     SECTION 36. Section 42-28-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-28 entitled "State

Police" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-28-19. Police powers of members -- Fees -- Duties -- Suppression of riots. --

Members of the division shall have and may exercise in any part of the state, with regard to the

enforcement of the criminal laws, all powers of deputy sheriffs, town sergeants, chiefs of police,

police officers, and town constables. Any person authorized to issue criminal process may direct

that process to any member of the division. All fees received by members of the division in

connection with the performance of their duties shall be paid to the general treasurer for the use

LC002006/SUB A - Page 23 of 29

of the state. It shall be the duty of its members to prevent and detect crime, to apprehend and

assist in the prosecution of offenders, and to assist in the investigation and prosecution of any

criminal matters within the state. The governor may command their services in the suppression of

riots, but they shall not exercise their powers within the limits of any city to suppress rioting

except by direction of the governor and upon the request of the mayor or chief of police of any

city.

     SECTION 37. Sections 45-3-8 and 45-3-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-3 entitled

"Town Meetings" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-3-8. Clerk's warrant giving notice. -- The notice to the electors to meet in a town

meeting, prescribed by law, shall be given by the town clerk issuing his or her warrant, directed to

the town sergeant or one of the town constables of the town, or in the event that the town sergeant

or a town constable is not available, to any elector of that town designated by the town or city

clerk, requiring him or her to post, at least seven (7) days before the day appointed for the

meeting, written notifications in three (3) or more public places in the town, of the time when and

place where the meeting is to be held and of the business required by law to be transacted.

     45-3-19. Disorderly conduct at meeting. -- If any person conducts himself or herself in

a disorderly manner in any town, representative district, or voting district meeting, the moderator

may order that person to withdraw from the meeting; and, on the person's refusal, may order the

town sergeant, or any town constable present, or any other persons, to take him or her from the

meeting and to confine him or her in some convenient place until the meeting is adjourned. The

person refusing to withdraw shall, for each offense, be fined not exceeding twenty dollars

($20.00).

     SECTION 38. Section 45-5-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-5 entitled "Councils

and Governing Bodies" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-5-10. Fees for licenses and commissions issued to officers. -- Town councils and

city councils are authorized to charge and collect for licenses and commissions issued to officers

elected or appointed by them, fees that the town and city councils, respectively, fix by ordinance

or resolution; provided, that the license fee for appointment of town constable with power to

serve civil process in accordance with § 9-5-10.1 is not less than five dollars ($5.00) and not more

than twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

     SECTION 39. Sections 45-16-4.1, 45-16-4.2, 45-16-4.3, 45-16-4.5, 45-16-5, 45-16-6, 45-

16-8, 45-16-9, 45-16-10, 45-16-11, 45-16-12, 45-16-13 and 45-16-14 of the General Laws in

Chapter 45-16 entitled "Sergeants and Constables" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-16-4.1. License and bond of constables License and bond of town constables. --

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All town constables, except police and special constables as provided for in this chapter shall be

licensed certified by the chief judge of the Rhode Island district court department of business

regulation in order to serve civil process and execute writs as provided in §§ 9-5-10 and 9-5-10.1.

Every constable shall at the time of being sworn into office give bond with sufficient sureties to

the clerk of the district court in the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the faithful

performance of the duties of his or her office.

     45-16-4.2. Action on bond of constables. -- Any person injured by the breach of the

bond of any town constable, may commence an action in the name of the clerk of the district

court, for his or her own use, under like circumstances and in the same manner and subject to the

same provisions as that person might do in the name of the general treasurer upon a bond given

by the sheriff, if the person were injured by the breach of the bond.

     45-16-4.3. Service of process by constables. -- The chief justice of the supreme court,

and the chief judge of the family and district courts, department of business regulation upon

application being made by a town constable authorized or licensed to serve civil process under

this chapter, may authorize the constable to serve or execute any process or writs issued by or

returnable to the any court in accordance with § 9-5-10.1. Upon being so authorized or licensed,

the town constable shall have the power and authority to serve or execute all writs and process

which may issue from the any court. in like manner and at fees authorized to deputy sheriffs.

Each constable shall at the time of licensing or authorization give additional bond with the clerk

of the district court in the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the faithful performance of

the duties of the office. Any appointee serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

     45-16-4.5. Immunity. -- No constable, while serving or executing any process or writ

issued by or returnable to the supreme, superior, family, or district court, is liable in any civil

action to respond in damages as a result of his or her acts of commission or omission arising

directly out of his or her negligent serving or executing the process or writ except as provided in §

9-5-10.1. In the event a civil action is brought against a constable as the result of the performance

of his or her duties, the constable is entitled to recover all costs and attorney's fees incurred by the

constable incidental to the civil action.

     45-16-5. Liability for neglect in serving process. -- Every town sergeant or town

constable who neglects or refuses to serve any process, issuing from lawful authority, directed to

him or her to serve and execute, or who is guilty of neglect or misfeasance in executing the duties

of his or her office (having in all civil cases, paid or tendered unto him or her, his or her legal

fees, if he or she demands legal fees, for serving and executing the process), is liable to the party

aggrieved for the damages that he or she has sustained by the neglect, refusal or misfeasance.

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     45-16-6. Aid and assistance in execution of office. -- Every town sergeant and town

constable, in the due execution of his or her office, may command all necessary aid and assistance

in the execution of his or her office; and every person who, when so required, refuses or neglects

to give aid and assistance, shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00).

     45-16-8. Election of special constables Election of special town constables. -- Every

town council may elect for any amount of time, not exceeding one year, that they may determine,

one or more special town constables, who shall be commissioned and engaged, but shall not be

required to give bond.

     45-16-9. Attendance of special constables at schools or meetings Attendance of

special town constables at schools or meetings. -- A special town constable shall, upon the

request of any citizen, and upon being tendered the sum of thirty cents ($.30) for each hour of

service required, attend any school or meeting lawfully assembled, for the purpose of preventing

any interruption or disturbance at the school or meeting, and may arrest without warrant and

detain not exceeding six (6) hours, any person found by the town constable in the act of willfully

interrupting or disturbing a school or meeting, and may, in like manner with other police and

special constables, command all necessary aid in the execution of the duties of the town

constable's office.

     45-16-10. Employment of special constables by steamboat companies and railroads

Employment of special town constables by steamboat companies and railroads. -- A special

town constable shall also at the request of any railroad company, or any proper officer or agent of

these companies, and upon being paid the sum of thirty cents ($.30) for each hour of service

required, attend at any regular steamboat wharf or landing, and any regular railroad passenger

station, for the purpose of preventing the assembling, crowding, and remaining at those places of

all idle, noisy, and disorderly persons to the obstruction, annoyance, and inconvenience of the

common and public travel, going and returning by the way of those stations, and may arrest

without warrant and detain not exceeding six (6) hours, any idle and noisy persons found by the

town constable in the act of willfully and idly intruding at those places, and there remaining when

commanded to depart by the constable.

     45-16-11. Judicial order disqualifying sergeant or constable from serving process

Disqualification of sergeant or town constable from serving process. -- Whenever complaints,

in writing, are made to the district court department of business regulation that any town sergeant,

or town constable who has been certified in accordance with § 9-5-10.1, has been guilty of

malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance, or misconduct in serving or attempting to serve or

pretending to serve any writ or process returnable to the district court, or has made a false return

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upon any writ or process, or has charged or exacted, for the service of any writ or process, fees

greater than those allowed by law, or has, within a division of a district court, been guilty of any

malfeasance or misconduct in his or her office other than that previously mentioned, the court

shall cite the town sergeant or town constable to appear before it at a time and place certain to

answer to the complaint shall be subject to the provisions set forth in chapter 5 of title 9. A

citation shall contain generally the substance of the complaint or have annexed a copy of the

complaint. If, upon hearing of the complaint, the court finds and adjudges the complaint to be

true, the court shall enter an order in its records disqualifying and debarring the town sergeant or

constable from serving and executing any writ or process issuing from the district court until the

further direction of the court. Thereupon, the town sergeant or constable shall be disqualified and

debarred from serving or executing any writ or process issuing from the district court until the

further direction of the court. The court shall send a certified copy of the order to the clerk of each

division of the district court, and shall also send a certified copy of the order to the town clerk or

city clerk from which the town sergeant or constable was appointed or elected, or the clerk of the

board appointing the constable, if appointed by any board.

     45-16-12. Penalty for serving process after disqualification -- Exemption from

liability for refusal to serve. -- (a) Any town sergeant or town constable who, being disqualified

and debarred from serving or executing any writ or process returnable to any district court of the

state under the provisions of § 45-16-11 chapter 5 of title 9, shall serve or execute or pretend or

attempt to serve or execute any writ or process while disqualified and debarred, shall be

imprisoned not exceeding one year or fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).

      (b) Any town sergeant or town constable, while disqualified and debarred shall not be

bound or obliged to serve or execute any writ or process returnable to any district court, although

the writ or process is directed or given to him or her, and shall be exempt and free from all

liability for his or her refusal or neglect to serve or execute any writ or process.

     45-16-13. Removal of constables from office Removal of town constables from office.

-- Any town constable, except a constable elected by the electors of any town or city, may be

removed for cause from office at any time by the town council or other body appointing him or

her, after notice, in writing, to the town constable of the charges against him or her and an

opportunity given him or her for a hearing.

     45-16-14. Unauthorized services of process. -- Any individual who serves, or attempts

to serve, any writ or legal process for any court of this state, other than deputy sheriffs, and those

individuals town sergeants and town constables so authorized for this service pursuant to this

chapter or in accordance with the provisions of chapter 5 of title 9, or other individuals authorized

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by law or by rule of court shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than

one thousand dollars ($1,000), and/or imprisoned for a term of not less than six (6) months, nor

more than one year in prison, for each violation; provided, that this section does not apply to any

city or town constable nor to any power or authority granted to them by any general or special

law.

     SECTION 40. Section 45-16-4.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-16 entitled

"Sergeants and Constables" is hereby repealed.

     45-16-4.4. Authorization to serve process of superior court. -- (a) The presiding

justice of the superior court, upon petition filed with the clerk in Providence County superior

court, by a constable authorized or licensed under this chapter, may, after hearing on the petition,

authorize the constable to serve or execute any process or writs issued by or returnable to the

superior court.

      (b) No petition shall be filed by a constable who does not have full authorization for

service of process from the chief judges of the district and/or family courts for a minimum of one

year.

      (c) At the hearing on the petition, the petitioner shall present any evidence that the

presiding justice may require.

      (d) If the petition is granted, the petitioner, prior to the service of any process of the

superior court, shall post with the general chief clerk of the superior court a bond in the amount of

ten thousand dollars ($10,000), which bond shall be renewed annually. The obligee of the bond

shall be the general chief clerk for the benefit of any aggrieved person. The bond shall be

conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the constable. Any authority granted

pursuant to this section may be suspended or revoked by the presiding justice in the justice's sole

discretion.

      (e) A master file shall be maintained by the general chief clerk containing the names of

those duly licensed under this section.

      (f) Neither the state nor the presiding justice is liable to any person who is aggrieved in

any manner whatsoever as a result of the conduct or actions of a constable licensed pursuant to

this section.

     SECTION 41. 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 COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY

***

     This act would amend the procedure for the certification of constables by removing the

licensure procedure from the district court and transferring it to the department of business

regulation. This act would also clarify those powers given to certified constables versus town and

police constables.

     This act would take effect on September 1, 2015.

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