2018 -- S 2445

========

LC004820

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

____________

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND ADOPT A

MANDATORY CHILD ABUSE/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ANIMAL ABUSE CROSS

REPORTING SYSTEM

     Introduced By: Senators Morgan, Paolino, Kettle, Lynch Prata, and Coyne

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     WHEREAS, The District of Columbia, Illinois, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia,

Ohio, and Maine have fully mandated two-way cross reporting, in which animal/welfare

personnel must report to each other; and

     WHEREAS, There is a well-documented link between animal abusers and those who

commit other acts of violence, especially of domestic violence and child abuse; and

     WHEREAS, Animal control and humane officers that have first-hand knowledge of

animal abuse may also have knowledge of domestic violence and child abuse; and

     WHEREAS, The Department of Children, Youth and Families has first-hand knowledge

of domestic violence and may also have knowledge of animal abuse; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby respectfully requests that all child

protection/domestic violence case workers report suspected animal abuse to animal

control/humane officer agencies; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby respectfully requests that all animal control and

humane officers must report suspected child abuse and/or domestic violence to Child

Protection/Domestic Violence agencies; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Grange Legislative Director.

========

LC004820

========

LC004820 - Page 2 of 2