2016 -- H 7683

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LC004765

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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 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

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

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2016

     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 section:

     12-29-12.1. Domestic violence prevention fund. -- (a) 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-substantiated 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.

     (b) There is created the domestic violence prevention fund program, to be administered

by the Rhode Island Foundation.

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

evidence-substantiated programs with the primary purpose of the prevention of domestic violence

and dating violence in the state of Rhode Island.

     (d) The Rhode Island Foundation shall convene a statewide prevention fund advisory

committee comprised of those with knowledge, experience, and/or expertise in 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 the

director's designee; the director of the department of health or the director's designee; the director

of the department of human services or the director's designee; and representatives of

organizations providing domestic violence and dating violence and dating primary prevention

services in Rhode Island.

     (e) The committee shall:

     (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 Rhode Island

Foundation;

     (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.

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

proposals or expenditures of funds.

     (g) The Rhode Island Foundation may utilize up to five percent (5%) 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 the clerk 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

§12-29-12.1.

     (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 Foundation on a monthly basis, to be distributed by the Foundation in

accordance with §12-29-12.1.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on September 1, 2016.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

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

Rhode Island Foundation for distribution of funds to organizations for domestic violence primary

prevention programs and activities, funded by an additional fee of forty-six dollars ($46.00) on all

marriage licenses issued by all cities and towns.

     This act would take effect on September 1, 2016.

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