2018 -- H 7688 SUBSTITUTE A | |
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LC003029/SUB A | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018 | |
____________ | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- EXTREME RISK | |
PROTECTION ORDERS -- CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Canario, Mattiello, Costantino, Marshall, and Fellela | |
Date Introduced: February 23, 2018 | |
Referred To: House Judiciary | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Title 8 of the General Laws entitled "COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE |
2 | - COURTS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
3 | CHAPTER 8.3 |
4 | EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS |
5 | 8-8.3-1. Definitions. |
6 | When used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following |
7 | meanings: |
8 | (1) "Court" means the superior court in the county in which the respondent resides. |
9 | (2) "Extreme risk protection order" means either a temporary order or a one year order |
10 | granted under this chapter. |
11 | (3) "Family or household member" means present and former family members (as |
12 | defined in § 15-15-1), parents (as defined in § 15-15-1), stepparents, legal guardians, persons who |
13 | are or have been in a substantive dating or engagement relationship within the past one year (as |
14 | defined in § 15-15-1), and cohabitants (as defined in § 8-8.1-1). |
15 | (4) "Firearm" means and includes any machine gun, pistol, rifle, air rifle, air pistol, |
16 | "blank gun," "BB gun," or other instrument from which steel or metal projectiles are propelled, or |
17 | which may readily be converted to expel a projectile, except crossbows, recurve, compound, or |
18 | longbows, and except instruments propelling projectiles which are designed or normally used for |
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1 | a primary purpose other than as a weapon. The frame or receiver of the weapon shall be construed |
2 | as a firearm pursuant to the provisions of this section. |
3 | (5) "Law enforcement agency" means the police department of any city or town, and the |
4 | division of the Rhode Island state police established pursuant to chapter 28 of title 42. |
5 | (6) "Law enforcement officer" means a sworn member of a law enforcement agency as |
6 | defined herein. |
7 | (7) "One year extreme risk protection order" means an extreme risk protection order |
8 | granted pursuant to the provisions of § 8-8.3-5 or renewed pursuant to the provisions of § 8-8.3-7. |
9 | (8) "Petitioner" means a law enforcement agency that petitions for an order pursuant to |
10 | this chapter. |
11 | (9) "Respondent" means the person who is identified as the respondent in a petition filed |
12 | pursuant to this chapter. |
13 | (10) "Social media" means any cell phone or internet based tools and applications that are |
14 | used to share and distribute information. |
15 | (11) "Temporary extreme risk protection order" means an extreme risk protection order |
16 | issued pursuant to the provisions of § 8-8.3-4. |
17 | 8-8.3-2. Filing of petition. |
18 | Proceedings under this chapter shall be filed, heard and determined in the superior court |
19 | of the county in which the respondent resides. Any proceedings under this chapter shall not |
20 | preclude any other available civil or criminal remedies. A party filing a petition under this chapter |
21 | may do so without payment of any filing fee. There shall be no minimum residence requirements |
22 | for the filing of a petition under this chapter. All matters filed under this chapter, as well as any |
23 | documents submitted in conjunction with proceedings under this chapter, shall be maintained as |
24 | confidential or non-public by the superior court. |
25 | 8-8.3-3. Contents of petition. |
26 | (a) A petition for an extreme risk protection order shall be filed only by a law |
27 | enforcement agency. |
28 | (b) A petitioner may file a petition with the court requesting an extreme risk protection |
29 | order that shall enjoin the respondent from having in their possession, custody or control any |
30 | firearms and shall further enjoin the respondent from purchasing, receiving or attempting to |
31 | purchase or receive any firearms while the order is in effect. The petitioner shall concurrently file |
32 | a sworn affidavit for a search warrant pursuant to chapter 5 of title 12 for the search of any |
33 | firearms in the possession, custody, or control of the respondent. |
34 | (c) A petitioner shall file a petition upon receipt of credible information that the |
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1 | respondent poses a significant danger of causing imminent personal injury to self or others by |
2 | having in their custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm. |
3 | (d) A petition must state the specific statements, actions, or facts that support the belief |
4 | that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing imminent personal injury to self or |
5 | others by having in their custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm. |
6 | (e) A petition for an extreme risk protection order must be supported by a written |
7 | affidavit signed by the petitioner under oath. The petitioner may produce sworn statements or |
8 | testimony of other witnesses to support the petition. |
9 | (f) If the petitioner believes there are firearms in the respondent's current ownership, |
10 | possession, custody, or control, the petition and search warrant affidavit shall identify the |
11 | number, types, and locations of all such firearms, if known. |
12 | (g) A petitioner for an extreme risk protection order, at the time of the filing, shall |
13 | identify all known restraining orders, orders of protection and pending lawsuits, complaints, |
14 | petitions or actions pending, active or filed within one year prior to the petition involving the |
15 | respondent, including, but not limited to, an order entered pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8 or |
16 | chapter 15 of title 15. |
17 | 8-8.3-4. Temporary orders -- Proceedings. |
18 | (a) Upon the filing of a petition under this chapter, the court may enter a temporary order |
19 | if the court finds there is probable cause from specific facts shown by the petition that the |
20 | respondent poses a significant danger of causing imminent personal injury to self or others by |
21 | having in their custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm before |
22 | notice can be served and a hearing held. |
23 | (b) If the court finds probable cause under subsection (a) of this section and from the |
24 | sworn affidavit, a search warrant shall issue pursuant to chapter 5 of title 12 for the search for any |
25 | firearms in the possession, custody, or control of the respondent. Such warrant shall be executed |
26 | pursuant to chapter 5 of title 12. |
27 | (c) When the court is unavailable after the close of business a petition and affidavit may |
28 | be filed before any available superior court judge. |
29 | (d) Any order and warrant issued under this section and any documentation in support of |
30 | an order and warrant shall be filed immediately with the clerk of the superior court. The filing |
31 | shall have the effect of commencing proceedings under this chapter and invoking the other |
32 | provisions of this chapter. |
33 | (e) A temporary extreme risk protection order must include: |
34 | (1) A statement of the grounds supporting the issuance of the order; |
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1 | (2) The date and time the order was issued; |
2 | (3) A statement that the order shall continue until such time as a court considers the |
3 | petition pursuant to § 8-8.3-5 at a hearing; |
4 | (4) The address of the court that issued the order and in which any responsive pleading |
5 | should be filed; |
6 | (5) The date and time of the scheduled hearing; |
7 | (6) The following statement: "To the subject of this protection order: This order will |
8 | continue until the hearing scheduled on the date and time noted above. If any of your firearms |
9 | have not been seized by the petitioner, you are under an obligation to immediately contact the |
10 | petitioner to arrange for the surrender of any other firearms that you own and/or are in your |
11 | custody, control, or possession, that have not been seized. You must surrender to the petitioner all |
12 | firearms that you own and/or are in your custody, control, or possession, and also immediately |
13 | surrender to the licensing authority or the attorney general any concealed carry permit issued to |
14 | you pursuant to § 11-47-11 or § 11-47-18. While this order is in effect, it is illegal for you to have |
15 | any firearm in your possession, custody or control or for you to purchase, receive, or attempt to |
16 | purchase or receive any firearm. You may seek the advice of an attorney as to any matter |
17 | connected with this order. If you believe you cannot afford an attorney, you are hereby referred to |
18 | the public defender for an intake interview." |
19 | (7) Any temporary extreme risk protection order issued pursuant to this section shall |
20 | continue until the time of the hearing pursuant to § 8-8.3-5. If the court continues a hearing |
21 | pursuant to § 8-8.3-5, the temporary order shall remain in effect until the next hearing date. |
22 | (f) The court shall schedule a hearing within fourteen (14) days of the issuance of a |
23 | temporary extreme risk protection order to determine if a one-year extreme risk protection order |
24 | should be issued under this chapter. |
25 | (g) A temporary extreme risk protection order shall be immediately personally served by |
26 | the petitioner along with supporting documents that formed the basis of the order, the notice of |
27 | hearing and petition for the one-year extreme protection order. Alternate service shall be in |
28 | accordance with § 8-8.3-6. Service issued under this section takes precedence over the service of |
29 | other documents, unless the other documents are of a similar emergency nature. If timely personal |
30 | service cannot be made, the court shall set a new hearing date and shall require additional |
31 | attempts at obtaining personal service or permit alternate service as provided in this chapter. |
32 | (h) If the court declines to issue a temporary extreme risk protection order, the court shall |
33 | state in writing the reasons for the denial. |
34 | 8-8.3-5. Hearings on petition – Grounds for issuance – Contents of order. |
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1 | (a) Upon hearing the matter, if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the |
2 | respondent poses a significant danger of causing imminent personal injury to self or others by |
3 | having in their custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm, the court |
4 | shall issue a one-year extreme risk protection order. An extreme risk protection order issued by |
5 | the court shall be for a fixed period of one year, at the expiration of which time the court may |
6 | renew the extreme risk protection order as set forth in § 8-8.3-7. |
7 | (b) In determining whether grounds for an extreme risk protection order exist, the court |
8 | may consider any or all of the following, including, but not limited to: |
9 | (1) A recent act or threat of violence by the respondent against self or others, regardless |
10 | of whether such act or threat of violence involves a firearm; |
11 | (2) A pattern of acts or threats of violence by the respondent within the past twelve (12) |
12 | months, including, but not limited to, acts or threats of violence against self or others; |
13 | (3) The respondent's mental health history; |
14 | (4) Evidence of the respondent's abuse of controlled substances or alcohol; |
15 | (5) Previous violations by the respondent of any court order including, but not limited to, |
16 | restraining orders, no contact orders issued pursuant to chapter 29 of title 12, and protective |
17 | orders issued pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8 or chapter 15 of title 15; |
18 | (6) Previous extreme risk protection orders issued against the respondent; |
19 | (7) The unlawful, threatening, or reckless use or brandishing of a firearm by the |
20 | respondent, including, but not limited to, such act taken or displayed through social media; |
21 | (8) The respondent's ownership of, access to, or intent to possess firearms; |
22 | (9) The respondent's criminal history, including, but not limited to, arrests and |
23 | convictions for felony offenses, crimes of violence as defined in § 11-47-2, violent misdemeanor |
24 | offenses, crimes involving domestic violence as defined in § 12-29-2, and stalking; |
25 | (10) The history, use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical violence by the |
26 | respondent against another person, or the respondent’s history of stalking another person, or |
27 | evidence of cruelty to animals by the respondent, including, but not limited to, evidence of |
28 | violations or convictions pursuant to the provisions of chapter 1 of title 4; and |
29 | (11) Evidence of recent acquisition or attempts at acquisition of firearms by the |
30 | respondent. |
31 | (c) In determining whether grounds for a one-year extreme risk protection order exist, the |
32 | court may also consider any other relevant and credible evidence presented by the petitioner, |
33 | respondent and any witnesses they may produce. |
34 | (d) The court may continue a hearing under this section upon a showing of good cause, |
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1 | including, but not limited to, whether service was effectuated less than seven (7) days from the |
2 | date of the scheduled hearing. If the court continues a hearing under this subsection in a matter in |
3 | which a temporary extreme risk protection order has been issued under § 8-8.3-4, the temporary |
4 | extreme risk protection order shall remain in effect until the next hearing date. |
5 | (e) During the hearing the court may consider whether a mental health evaluation or |
6 | substance abuse evaluation is appropriate, and may recommend that the respondent seek such |
7 | evaluation if appropriate. |
8 | (f) An extreme risk protection order must include: |
9 | (1) A statement of the grounds supporting the issuance of the order; |
10 | (2) The date and time the order was issued; |
11 | (3) The date and time the order expires; |
12 | (4) Information pertaining to any recommendation by the court for mental health and/or |
13 | substance abuse evaluations, if applicable; |
14 | (5) The address of the court that issued the order and in which any responsive pleading |
15 | should be filed; and |
16 | (6) The following statement: "To the subject of this protection order: This order will |
17 | continue until the date and time noted above unless terminated earlier by court order. If any of |
18 | your firearms have not been seized by the petitioner, you are under an obligation to immediately |
19 | contact the petitioner to arrange for the surrender of any other firearms that you own and/or are in |
20 | your custody, control, or possession, that have not been seized. You must surrender to the |
21 | petitioner all firearms that you own and/or are in your in your custody, control, or possession, and |
22 | also immediately surrender to the licensing authority or the attorney general any concealed carry |
23 | permit issued to you pursuant to § 11-47-11 or § 11-47-18. While this order is in effect, it is |
24 | illegal for you to have any firearm in your possession, custody or control or for you to purchase, |
25 | receive, or attempt to purchase or receive any firearm. You have the right to request one hearing |
26 | to terminate this order within each twelve (12) month period that this order, or any renewal order, |
27 | is in effect. You may seek the advice of an attorney as to any matter connected with this order. If |
28 | you believe you cannot afford an attorney, you are hereby referred to the public defender for an |
29 | intake interview." |
30 | (g) Upon the issuance of a one-year extreme risk protection order, the court shall inform |
31 | the respondent that they are entitled to request termination of the order in the manner prescribed |
32 | by § 8-8.3-7. The court shall provide the respondent with a form to request a termination hearing. |
33 | The court shall also schedule a review hearing of the matter, which hearing shall be scheduled |
34 | within thirty (30) calendar days before the date the one year extreme risk protection order is set to |
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1 | expire. |
2 | (h) If the court declines to issue a one-year extreme risk protection order, the court shall |
3 | state in writing the particular reasons for the court's denial and shall also order the return of |
4 | weapons to the respondent. Such return should be effectuated consistent with the provisions of § |
5 | 8-8.3-8. |
6 | 8-8.3-6. Service of one year extreme risk protection orders. |
7 | (a) A one-year extreme risk protection order issued under this chapter shall be personally |
8 | served upon the respondent by the division of sheriffs. Provided, the division of sheriffs may |
9 | request the assistance of the state police with such service as needed. If the division of sheriffs |
10 | cannot complete service of the one-year extreme risk protection order upon the respondent within |
11 | seven (7) days of the order's issuance, the deputy sheriff shall notify the petitioner and the court. |
12 | The petitioner shall then seek an order for alternate service pursuant to this chapter. |
13 | (b) If the court determines that after diligent effort, personal service on the respondent |
14 | with or of any documents as required pursuant to this chapter cannot be made, then the court may |
15 | order an alternate method of service designed to give reasonable notice to the respondent. |
16 | Alternative service may include, but shall not be limited to: service by certified and regular mail |
17 | at respondent's last-known address or place of employment; leaving copies at the respondent's |
18 | dwelling or usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing therein; or |
19 | by affixing a summons to the door of the respondent's residence. Provided, due to the nature of |
20 | these proceedings, notice shall not be given by publication in a newspaper. |
21 | (c) In the event personal service of any order, notice, or other document issued pursuant |
22 | to this chapter cannot be obtained, the court shall have discretion to continue any extreme risk |
23 | protection order, and hearing thereon, as the court deems appropriate, until service can be made |
24 | upon the respondent. |
25 | (d) Upon receipt of alternate service of any order, notice, or other document issued |
26 | pursuant to this chapter, the respondent shall comply with the order, notice, or document as if |
27 | personally served. |
28 | 8-8.3-7. Termination – Expiration – Renewal of orders. |
29 | (a) Termination of order. The respondent may submit a single written request for a |
30 | hearing to terminate a one-year extreme risk protection order issued under this chapter within the |
31 | twelve (12) month period that the order, or any renewal order, is in effect. |
32 | (1) Upon receipt of the request for a hearing to terminate a one-year extreme risk |
33 | protection order, the court shall set a date for a hearing. The respondent shall cause a copy of the |
34 | notice of the request to be served on the original petitioner. A hearing on this motion shall be |
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1 | scheduled not later than thirty (30) days from the date of filing the request. |
2 | (2) At a hearing to terminate a one-year extreme risk protection order prior to its |
3 | scheduled date of expiration, the respondent shall have the burden of proving by clear and |
4 | convincing evidence that the respondent does not pose a significant danger of causing imminent |
5 | personal injury to self or others by having a firearm in their custody or control, or by purchasing, |
6 | possessing, or receiving, a firearm. The court may consider any relevant evidence, including |
7 | evidence of the considerations enumerated in § 8-8.3-5. In addition, the court may consider |
8 | whether the respondent complied with the court’s recommendation that the respondent undergo a |
9 | mental health and/or substance abuse evaluation. |
10 | (3) If the court finds after the hearing that the respondent has met their burden by clear |
11 | and convincing evidence, the court shall terminate the one-year order and order return of the |
12 | firearms consistent with the provisions of §8-8.3-8. |
13 | (b) Notice of impending expiration. The original petitioner shall notify in writing all |
14 | interested parties, including but not limited to family or household members of the respondent, of |
15 | the impending expiration of any one-year extreme risk protection order within fourteen (14) |
16 | calendar days before the date the order expires. |
17 | (c) Motion for renewal of order. The petitioner may by motion request a renewal of a |
18 | one-year extreme risk protection order at any time within fourteen (14) calendar days before the |
19 | date the order expires. |
20 | (1) Upon receipt of a motion to renew a one-year extreme risk protection order the court |
21 | shall order that a hearing be held not later than fourteen (14) days from the date the motion is |
22 | filed. The respondent shall be personally served with notice of the motion, unless otherwise |
23 | ordered by the court. |
24 | (2) In determining whether to renew a one-year extreme risk protection order under this |
25 | section, the court shall consider all relevant evidence presented by the petitioner and follow the |
26 | same procedures provided in § 8-8.3-5. The court may also consider whether the respondent |
27 | complied with any court recommendation for a mental health and/or substance abuse evaluation. |
28 | (3) If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the requirements for issuance |
29 | of a one-year extreme risk protection order as provided in § 8-8.3-5 continue to be met, the court |
30 | shall renew the order for another year. Further, if, after notice, the motion for renewal is |
31 | uncontested and the petitioner seeks no modification of the order, the order may be renewed on |
32 | the basis of the petitioner's motion and affidavit stating that there has been no material change in |
33 | relevant circumstances since entry of the order which is subject to renewal. |
34 | (4) A renewal of a one-year extreme risk protection order shall be for another fixed |
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1 | period of one year, subject to termination as provided in subsection (a) of this section or future |
2 | renewal by order of the court pursuant to this subsection. |
3 | 8-8.3-8. Firearms return –- Disposal. |
4 | (a) Any firearm seized or surrendered in accordance with this chapter shall be returned to |
5 | the respondent upon their request when: |
6 | (1) The respondent produces documentation issued by the court indicating that any |
7 | extreme risk protective order issued pursuant to this chapter has expired, terminated, or has not |
8 | been renewed; and |
9 | (2) The law enforcement agency in possession of the firearms conducts a national |
10 | criminal records check and determines that the respondent is not otherwise prohibited from |
11 | possessing a firearm under state or federal law. |
12 | (b) A law enforcement agency shall, if requested by the court or the petitioner, provide |
13 | prior notice to any interested party, including but not limited to family or household members of |
14 | the respondent, of the impending return of a firearm to a respondent, in the manner provided in § |
15 | 8-8.3-6. |
16 | (c) Upon written request of the respondent, any law enforcement agency storing |
17 | firearm(s) shall transfer possession of the firearm(s) to a federally licensed firearms dealer, who |
18 | may be designated by the respondent if so desired. |
19 | (1) The respondent may instruct the federally licensed firearms dealer designated by the |
20 | respondent where applicable to sell the firearm(s) or to transfer ownership or possession in |
21 | accordance with state and federal law, to a qualified named individual who is not a member of the |
22 | person's dwelling house, and who is not prohibited from possessing firearms under state or |
23 | federal law. The owner of any firearm(s) sold shall receive any financial value received from their |
24 | sale, less the cost associated with taking possession of, storing, and transferring of the firearm(s). |
25 | (2) Any individual to whom possession of a firearm(s) is transferred pursuant to this |
26 | subsection shall be prohibited from transferring or returning any firearm(s) to the respondent |
27 | while the extreme risk protective order is in effect and shall be informed of this prohibition. Any |
28 | knowing violation of this subsection is a felony which shall be punishable by imprisonment for a |
29 | term of not more than five (5) years, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), |
30 | or both. |
31 | (3) An individual to whom possession of a firearm(s) is transferred pursuant to this |
32 | subsection shall only return a firearm(s) to the respondent if the respondent provides court |
33 | documentation that the extreme risk protection order issued pursuant to this chapter has expired |
34 | or been withdrawn or terminated, and has not been renewed. |
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1 | (d) The Rhode Island state police are authorized to develop rules and procedures |
2 | pertaining to the storage and return of firearms seized by or surrendered to the local law |
3 | enforcement agency or the state police pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or chapter 8.1 of |
4 | title 8. The state police may consult with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association in |
5 | developing rules and procedures to effectuate this section. |
6 | 8-8.3-9. Reporting of orders. |
7 | (a) The clerk of the court shall enter any one-year extreme risk protection order or |
8 | temporary extreme risk protection order issued pursuant to this chapter into a statewide judicial |
9 | information system on the same day such order is issued. |
10 | (b) The clerk of the court shall forward a copy of any order issued, renewed or terminated |
11 | under this chapter the same day such order is issued to the appropriate law enforcement agency |
12 | specified in the order and the attorney general. |
13 | (1) Upon receipt of the copy of an extreme risk protection order, the attorney general |
14 | shall enter the order into: |
15 | (i) The national instant criminal background check system, also known as the NICS |
16 | database; |
17 | (ii) All federal or state computer-based systems and databases used by law enforcement |
18 | or others to identify prohibited purchasers of firearms; and |
19 | (iii) All computer-based criminal intelligence information systems and databases |
20 | available in this state used by law enforcement agencies. |
21 | (2) The order must remain in each system for the period stated in the order, and the law |
22 | enforcement agency shall only remove orders from the systems upon notice that they have been |
23 | terminated or expired. Entry into the computer-based criminal intelligence information system |
24 | constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the existence of the order. The order shall be |
25 | fully enforceable in any city or town in the state. |
26 | (c) The issuing court shall, within three (3) business days after issuance of a one-year |
27 | extreme risk protection order or temporary extreme risk protection order, forward a copy of the |
28 | respondent's driver's license, or comparable information, along with the date of order issuance, to |
29 | the attorney general and the appropriate licensing authority. Upon receipt of the information, the |
30 | attorney general or the appropriate licensing authority shall determine if the respondent has a |
31 | concealed carry permit. If the respondent does have a concealed carry permit, the attorney general |
32 | or the appropriate licensing authority shall immediately revoke the license. |
33 | (d) If any extreme risk protection order is terminated before its expiration date, the clerk |
34 | of the court shall forward, on the same day, a copy of the termination order to the office of the |
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1 | attorney general and the petitioner. Upon receipt of the order, the attorney general shall promptly |
2 | remove the order from any computer-based system into which it was entered pursuant to |
3 | subsection (b) of this section. |
4 | 8-8.3-10. Penalties. |
5 | (a) Any violation of any extreme risk protection order shall subject the violator to being |
6 | found in contempt of court. The contempt order shall not be exclusive and shall not preclude any |
7 | other available civil or criminal remedies. |
8 | (b) Any violation of an extreme risk protection order issued under this chapter of which |
9 | the respondent has actual notice shall be a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by |
10 | imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, or a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars |
11 | ($10,000), or both. |
12 | (c) Filing a petition or providing information pursuant to this chapter knowing the |
13 | information in or for such petition to be materially false, or with intent to harass the respondent, |
14 | shall be a felony that shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or a fine |
15 | of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both. |
16 | 8-8.3-11. Liability. |
17 | Except as provided in §§ 8-8.3-8 and 8-8.3-10, this chapter does not impose criminal or |
18 | civil liability on a law enforcement agency, law enforcement officer, or the attorney general or a |
19 | member of that department, for acts or omissions related to obtaining any extreme risk protection |
20 | order including, but not limited to, reporting, declining to report, investigating, declining to |
21 | investigate, filing, or declining to file a petition under this chapter. |
22 | 8-8.3-12. Required notice on orders – Confidentiality of proceedings. |
23 | (a) Any extreme risk protection order form shall include, in a conspicuous location, |
24 | notice of penalties resulting from violation of the order, and the following statement: "You have |
25 | the sole responsibility to avoid or refrain from violating this order's provisions. Only the court can |
26 | change the order and only upon written application." |
27 | (b) All filings, petitions, orders, warrants, affidavits, evidence, and any other document |
28 | filed pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed confidential documents and shall not be available |
29 | for public inspection or disclosure absent a court order. This section shall not prohibit the entry of |
30 | orders into appropriate databases as required pursuant to § 8-8.3-9. |
31 | 8-8.3-13. Appeal. |
32 | Any order under this chapter shall remain in effect during the pendency of an appeal to |
33 | the supreme court unless the order is stayed by a justice of the supreme court. |
34 | 8-8.3-14. Severability. |
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1 | If any section of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held |
2 | invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the chapter and the application of |
3 | the section to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. The invalidity or |
4 | unconstitutionality of any section or sections or part of any section or sections of this chapter |
5 | shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this chapter and to this end the sections of this |
6 | chapter are severable. |
7 | SECTION 2. Section 12-5-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-5 entitled "Search |
8 | Warrants" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
9 | 12-5-2. Grounds for issuance. |
10 | A warrant may be issued under this chapter to search for and seize any of the following: |
11 | (1) Property stolen or embezzled, or obtained by any false pretense, or pretenses, with |
12 | intent to cheat or defraud within this state, or elsewhere; |
13 | (2) Property kept, suffered to be kept, concealed, deposited, or possessed in violation of |
14 | law, or for the purpose of violating the law; |
15 | (3) Property designed or intended for use, or which is or has been used, in violation of |
16 | law, or as a means of committing a violation of law; |
17 | (4) Property which is evidence of the commission of a crime; or |
18 | (5) Samples of blood, saliva, hair, bodily tissues, bodily fluids, or dental impressions |
19 | from the body of a person, that may yield evidence of the identity of the perpetrator of a crime |
20 | when subjected to scientific or other forensic analysis. The foregoing samples, and the results of |
21 | any scientific or other forensic analysis, shall be admissible in all criminal proceedings, subject to |
22 | application of the rules of evidence and criminal procedure. When any of the foregoing samples |
23 | are seized for scientific or forensic analysis, the seizure shall be conducted in accordance with the |
24 | regulations, guidelines, or protocols of the department of health or the state crime laboratory, as |
25 | may be appropriate under the circumstances; or |
26 | (6) Samples of blood or breath that may yield evidence of the presence of alcohol or a |
27 | controlled substance when subjected to a chemical test, as contemplated in § 31-27-2. When any |
28 | of the foregoing samples are seized for purposes of performing the aforementioned chemical test, |
29 | the seizure shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations of the department of health that |
30 | apply to the consensual collection of such a sample for purposes of the chemical test |
31 | contemplated by Rhode Island general laws § 31-27-2; or |
32 | (7) Property of a respondent under chapter 8.3 of title 8 where firearms may be under the |
33 | possession, custody or control of the respondent. |
| LC003029/SUB A - Page 12 of 14 |
1 | SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC003029/SUB A | |
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| LC003029/SUB A - Page 13 of 14 |
EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- EXTREME RISK | |
PROTECTION ORDERS -- CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS | |
*** | |
1 | This act would establish a new chapter 8-8.3, entitled "Extreme Risk Protection Orders." |
2 | Under this new chapter, the superior court would have authority to issue "extreme risk protection |
3 | orders" when the court finds that a respondent named in a petition poses a significant danger of |
4 | causing imminent personal injury to self or others by having a firearm in their custody or control, |
5 | or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm. The petition would be filed by a law |
6 | enforcement agency. The act would also provide that a person subject to an extreme risk |
7 | protection order must surrender all firearms and carry permits while subject to such an order. The |
8 | act would also authorize the court to issue a search warrant to seize the respondent's firearms and |
9 | concealed carry permits. |
10 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC003029/SUB A | |
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| LC003029/SUB A - Page 14 of 14 |