2016 -- H 8291

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LC006112

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY FOR VICTIMS OF

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

     Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Keable, Fogarty, Maldonado, and Marcello

     Date Introduced: June 03, 2016

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-28-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-28 entitled "Address

Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     17-28-3. Address confidentiality program -- Application -- Certification. -- (a) An

adult person who is a victim of domestic violence and any member of his/her household may

apply to the secretary of state to have an address designated by the secretary of state serve as the

person's address. The secretary of state shall approve an application if it is filed in the manner and

on the form prescribed by the secretary of state and if it contains:

      (1) A sworn statement by the applicant:

      (i) That the applicant is a victim of domestic violence, as defined in § 17-28-2(c) of this

chapter;

      (ii) That the applicant fears for his or her safety or his or her children's safety, or;

      (iii) That the applicant resides in the same household as a victim of domestic violence, as

defined in subsection 17-28-2(c); and

      (iv) That the individual who committed the domestic violence has knowledge that the

applicant lives in the same household as the victim of domestic violence, as defined in subsection

17-28-2(c).

      (2) The mailing address where the applicant can be contacted by the secretary of state,

and the phone number or numbers where the applicant can be called by the secretary of state;

      (3) The new address or addresses that the applicant requests not be disclosed for the

reason that disclosure will increase the risk of domestic violence;

      (4) The signature of the applicant, and of any individual or representative of any office

designated in writing under § 17-28-6 who assisted in the preparation of the application, and the

date on which the applicant signed the application.

      (b) Applications shall be filed with the office of the secretary of state.

     (c) Upon filing a properly completed application, the secretary of state shall certify the

applicant as a program participant. Applicants shall be remain certified, for four (4) years

following the date of filing unless the certification is withdrawn by the applicant or invalidated by

the secretary of state before that date. The secretary of state shall establish by rule a renewal

procedure.

      (d) A person who falsely attests in an application that disclosure of the applicant's

address would endanger the applicant's safety or the safety of the applicant's children, or who

knowingly provides false or incorrect information upon making an application, shall be punished

by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

     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 ELECTIONS - ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY FOR VICTIMS OF

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

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     This act would allow victims of domestic violence to have their addresses remain

confidential unless the certification is withdrawn by the applicant or invalidated by the secretary

of state.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC006112

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