2018 -- H 7748

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LC003762

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- FLAGS AND EMBLEMS

     

     Introduced By: Representative Deborah A. Fellela

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2018

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-15 of the General Laws entitled "Flags and Emblems" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     11-15-8. Flag desecration.

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     (a) As used in this section, the term "flag of the United States" means any flag of the

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United States, or any part thereof, made of any substance, of any size, in a form that is commonly

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displayed.

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     (b) Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the

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floor or ground, or tramples upon the flag of the United States shall be fined five hundred dollars

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($500).

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     (c) Nothing contained within this section prohibits any conduct consisting of the disposal

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of a flag when it has become worn or soiled.

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     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 CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- FLAGS AND EMBLEMS

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     This act would impose a fine of five hundred dollars for desecrating the American flag.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003762

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