2015 -- S 0844

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LC002395

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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 TOWNS AND CITIES -- ORDINANCES

     Introduced By: Senators Goodwin, Ruggerio, Ciccone, Goldin, and Miller

     Date Introduced: April 15, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-6 entitled "Ordinances"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-6-2. Imposition of penalties for ordinance violations. – (a) Town and city councils

may impose penalties for the violation of ordinances and regulations, not exceeding in amount

five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days in some jail or house

of correction, and/or require restitution in cases involving property damage or personal injury in

an amount up to twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500) and/or for voluntary community restitution

for a town or city agency for not more than ten (10) days for any one offense, unless other

penalties or penalties within other limits are specially prescribed by statute, to be prosecuted by

some officer appointed for that purpose, and to be recovered to the use of the town or city, or of

the person or persons, and in the proportions, that the councils in their ordinances and regulations

designate.

     (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, and unless otherwise

restricted by statute, a town or city council may impose penalties for the violation of ordinances

and regulations, not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000) for municipal and environmental

offenses that:

     (1) Substantially annoy, injure, or endanger the comfort, health, repose, or safety of the

public;

     (2) In any way render the public insecure in life or in the use of property; or

     (3) Substantially impede the advancement of recycling.

     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 -- ORDINANCES

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     This act would authorize city and town councils to impose a penalty not to exceed two

thousand dollars ($2,000) for municipal/environmental ordinance violations causing a substantial

nuisance to the community.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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