2018 -- S 2575

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LC004847

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY POTENTIAL REFORM

OF VICIOUS DOGS HEARINGS

     Introduced By: Senators Euer, Seveney, Lynch Prata, Archambault, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     WHEREAS, Chapter 13.1 of Title 4 of the General Laws governs the regulation of

vicious dogs, including the hearings that determine a dog’s status as vicious; and

     WHEREAS, There continues to be debate among stakeholders including the Rhode

Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) regarding the form and

procedure of said hearings; and

     WHEREAS, Input from stakeholders representing the animal welfare community and

city solicitors offices who participate in said hearings is vital to the meaningful reform of this

process; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of ten (10) members: two (2) of whom shall be members of the Senate, to be

appointed by the President of the Senate; two (2) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the President

of the RISPCA, or designee; one of whom shall be a certified animal behaviorist, to be appointed

by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island

Police Chiefs Association, or designee; one of whom shall be an Animal Control Officer, to be

appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island State

Veterinarian, or designee; and one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Potter League

for Animals, or designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to conduct a comprehensive review and make

recommendations regarding the regulation of vicious dogs and any administrative hearings

pertaining to them.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House and organize. The President

of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall each select one member to serve as co-

chairpersons of the commission.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purpose of this resolution.

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

General Assembly on or before March 1, 2019, and said commission shall expire on July 1, 2019.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY POTENTIAL REFORM

OF VICIOUS DOGS HEARINGS

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     This resolution would create a ten (10) member special legislative commission whose

purpose it would be to conduct a comprehensive review and make recommendations regarding

the regulation of vicious dogs and any administrative hearings pertaining to them, and who would

report back to the General Assembly no later than March 1, 2019, and whose life would expire on

July 1, 2019.

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LC004847

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