2018 -- S 2948

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LC005630

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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 PROCEDURE - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Nesselbush, Goodwin, Cano, Quezada, and Calkin

     Date Introduced: May 31, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 12-29-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-29 entitled "Domestic

Violence Prevention Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-29-12. Domestic violence prevention fund -- policy. Deborah DeBare domestic

violence prevention fund -- policy.

     (a) The general assembly finds and declares that domestic violence is a serious public

health concern in the state of Rhode Island, and that evidence-based 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 toward the primary prevention of

domestic violence in Rhode Island.

     (b) Deborah DeBare Domestic domestic violence prevention fund:

     (1) There is created the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund program, to

be administered by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

     (2) The Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund program monies shall be

used to fund evidence-based programs with the purpose of primary prevention of domestic

violence and dating violence in the state of Rhode Island.

     (3) The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence shall convene a statewide

prevention fund advisory committee comprised of those with knowledge, experience, training

and/or expertise in the field of prevention of domestic violence and dating violence. The

committee members shall include, but are not limited to, the executive director of the Rhode

Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, or their designee; the director of the department of

health, or their designee; the director of the department of human services, or their designee; the

attorney general, or their designee; and representative organizations providing domestic violence

and dating violence primary prevention services in Rhode Island.

     (c) The committee shall be responsible for implementation of programs to prevent

domestic and dating abuse and shall:

     (1) Develop a plan and budget for distribution of funds;

     (2) Develop criteria for awarding and distributing funds received to develop plans and

programs for the prevention of domestic and dating violence;

     (3) Issue requests for proposals to providers, organizations, firms, or entities that will

provide services to the committee;

     (4) Review proposals for the funds and present recommendations to the board of directors

of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence;

     (5) Monitor and account for the expenditure of funds and produce an annual report on the

activities of the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund. Annual reports shall be

submitted to the senate and house finance committees of the general assembly for review on or

before February 28 of each year; and

     (6) Promote the general development of domestic violence primary prevention programs

and activities.

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

proposals or expenditure of funds. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence shall

not be eligible to submit proposals for the committee's programs nor shall it be eligible to receive

any funds from the committee except as hereinafter provided.

     (e) The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence may utilize up to ten percent

(10%) of the sums collected for the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund for the

purpose of administering the program and it shall also be required to submit an annual report

detailing the expenditure of funds to the senate and house finance committees on or before

February 28 of each year.

     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 PROCEDURE - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

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     This act would, in honor of Deborah DeBare, rename the domestic violence prevention

fund as the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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