H8159

	2016 -- H 8159
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	LC005903
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016
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	J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $537,766 TO RHODE ISLAND LEGAL SERVICES,
	INC.

	Introduced By: Representative Christopher R. Blazejewski
	Date Introduced: May 05, 2016
	Referred To: House Finance
1	WHEREAS, Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc., was incorporated by an act of the
2	General Assembly on February 28, 1969, to provide free legal assistance to indigent Rhode
3	Islanders; and
4	WHEREAS, Access to the civil justice system is of paramount importance without regard
5	to one’s economic status; and
6	WHEREAS, There is an unmet need of low income Rhode Islanders for legal aid in
7	Family Court matters; and
8	WHEREAS, The unmet need for legal aid in the Rhode Island Family Court is an
9	important challenge to the Court’s ability to provide prompt and equal access to all Rhode
10	Islanders; and
11	WHEREAS, Rhode Island Legal Services has a long and successful history of
12	representing low income individuals in divorce and custody matters but lacks the funding to
13	provide such services; and
14	WHEREAS, Funding Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc., will allow Rhode Island Legal
15	Services to hire additional staff to represent litigants in family law matters thereby helping to
16	alleviate the problem of unmet need and increase the efficiency in the Rhode Island Family
17	Court; now, therefore be it
18	RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not
19	otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2016-2017, the sum of five hundred thirty-seven

1	thousand seven hundred sixty-six dollars ($537,766) to Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc., to
2	represent indigent Rhode Islanders in matters involving domestic relations; and the state
3	controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the
4	payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of
5	properly authenticated vouchers.
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	LC005903
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	LC005903 - Page 2 of 3
	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $537,766 TO RHODE ISLAND LEGAL SERVICES,
	INC.
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1	This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $537,766 to Rhode Island
2	Legal Services, Inc.
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	LC005903
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	LC005903 - Page 3 of 3