2019 -- H 5744

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LC001752

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - LAW PRACTICE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Millea, Phillips, Hawkins, Solomon, and Shanley

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2019

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (Judiciary)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 11-27-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-27 entitled "Law

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Practice" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     11-27-19. Unauthorized practice of law committee -- Powers and duties -- Duties of

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attorney general.

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     (a) There is established an unauthorized practice of law committee to be appointed by the

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supreme court consisting of any number that shall be determined by the supreme court.

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     (b) It shall be the duty of the attorney general and the unauthorized practice of law

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committee to enforce the provisions of this chapter and to investigate and prosecute all violations.

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It shall be the duty of the attorney general to prosecute all criminal violations. The superior court

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shall have jurisdiction to restrain and enjoin any of the acts prohibited in this chapter upon a

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complaint brought by the attorney general, by any member of the bar of this state whose authority

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as a member to practice law is in full force and effect or by the unauthorized practice of law

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committee.

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     (c) The unauthorized practice of law committee may sue in its own name for the purpose

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of civil litigation as provided by this section.

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     (d) The unauthorized practice of law committee shall have the following duties and

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powers:

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     (1) To adopt, amend, and rescind any rules and regulations that it deems necessary to

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carry out the provisions of this section, a copy of which rules and regulations shall be filed with

 

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the secretary of state and available for public inspection which shall be approved and

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promulgated by the supreme court.

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     (2) To investigate all reports of activities which may constitute unauthorized practice of

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law and to hold hearings to determine whether the charges are substantiated or unsubstantiated;

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     (3) To appoint legal counsel and any assistants that the committee deems necessary to act

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for the committee in investigating complaints brought before it;

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     (4) To make contracts and arrangements for the performance of administrative and

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similar services required or appropriate in the performance of the committee's duties;

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     (5) To issue subpoenas and administer oaths in connection with any investigations,

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hearings, or other proceedings held under the authority of this chapter;

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     (6) To take or cause depositions to be taken as needed in any investigation, hearing, or

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proceeding;

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     (7) To summon and examine witnesses during any investigation, hearing, or proceeding

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conducted by the committee;

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     (e) There shall be no liability on the part of, and no cause of action of any nature shall

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arise against, the unauthorized practice of law committee, its agents, or its employees, or its

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members or against any organization or its members or other witnesses and parties to the

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committee's proceedings for any statements made by them in documents, reports,

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communications, or testimony concerning any investigation of the conduct of any person, firm,

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corporation, or other entity alleged to be engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.

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     (f) Subpoenas may be issued by the committee on its own motion to compel the

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production of documents or other written records or the attendance of witnesses at any

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investigation or hearing. The committee may issue subpoenas at the request and on behalf of the

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accused. In the event that any person contumaciously refuses to obey a subpoena or answer any

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proper question put to that person during a hearing or proceeding, the superior court shall have

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jurisdiction upon application by the committee to issue that person an order requiring the person

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to appear before the committee, there to produce evidence if so ordered, or there to give

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testimony concerning the matter under investigation. The committee shall have the power to

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request the superior court to punish all intentional disregard of the court orders as contempt.

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     (g) Within thirty (30) days, if practical, after holding a hearing, the committee shall make

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a written report of its findings of fact and its recommendation, and the report shall be

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immediately transmitted to the chief justice of the supreme court with a transcript of the evidence.

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A copy of the report shall be furnished to the accused.

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     (h) The administration of the committee shall be funded from annual fees to be

 

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determined by the supreme court. These fees shall be charged to and apportioned among the

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licensed attorneys and counselors of the supreme court of this state, the payment of which shall

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be a condition to practicing in the state of Rhode Island. Monies shall be received by the supreme

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court in the same manner as lawyers' registration fees and credited to a fund known as the

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unauthorized practice of law committee administration fund. All monies in the fund shall be

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utilized only for the purpose of maintaining, managing, operating, and administering the

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unauthorized practice of law committee in carrying out its functions. The committee shall make

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an annual financial report to the supreme court of Rhode Island.

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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 - LAW PRACTICE

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     This act would provide that the rules and regulations pertaining to the unauthorized

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practice of law committee would be approved and promulgated by the supreme court.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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