2020 -- H 8140

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LC005616

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RESIDENTIAL SECURITY EQUIPMENT

PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Representative Anastasia P. Williams

     Date Introduced: October 26, 2020

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 95

RESIDENTIAL SECURITY EQUIPMENT PROGRAM

     23-95-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Residential Security Equipment

Program".

     23-95-2. Purpose of program.

     The purpose of the residential security equipment program is to provide or assist in the

acquisition of residential security equipment for use by state residents to enhance individual and

public safety.

     23-95-3. Design of program.

     The director of the department of administration shall design a program to implement the

provisions of this chapter. The program design shall at a minimum include, but not be limited to,

the following criteria:

     (1) Designation of a state agency to contract with manufacturers, distributors and/or

wholesalers of residential security equipment for the purchase and acquisition of the equipment on

the most favorable terms available;

     (2) Identification of appropriate residential security equipment for acquisition, distribution

and use by residents to enhance individual and public safety to include, but not be limited to:

     (i) Video doorbell cameras;

     (ii) Flood spot lights; and

     (iii) Motion detector lights and security cameras.

     (3) Application for funds, grants or donations from public and private sources;

     (4) Creation of an application process for sale and/or distribution of residential security

equipment; and

     (5) An audit function.

     23-95-4. Distribution of security equipment.

     (a) Upon application by a person representing a family or household whose total income is

below the federal poverty guidelines, the director of the department of administration or designee

shall provide the applicant with up to five hundred dollars ($500) in residential security equipment

at no charge to the applicant.

     (b) Upon application by a person representing a family or household whose total income

is above the federal poverty guidelines, but below one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the federal

poverty guidelines, the director of administration or designee shall provide the applicant with up to

five hundred dollars ($500) in residential security equipment at one half (1/2) the actual negotiated

cost of the equipment.

     (c) Upon application by a person representing a family or household whose total income is

in excess of one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the federal poverty guidelines, the director of

administration or designee shall provide residential security equipment to the applicant at the actual

negotiated cost for the equipment.

     (d) The obligation of the director of administration or designee pursuant to subsections (a)

and (b) of this section shall terminate annually upon distribution of equipment equal to funds

appropriated and acquired to administer the program.

     23-95-5. Appropriation.

     The general assembly shall appropriate the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars

($250,000) annually commencing July 1, 2021 to implement and administer the provisions of this

chapter.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RESIDENTIAL SECURITY EQUIPMENT

PROGRAM

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     This act would create the Residential Security Equipment Program. Residential security

equipment would be provided free or subsidized for residents below the poverty level or up to one

hundred fifty percent (150%) of the poverty level. Residents above one hundred fifty percent

(150%) of the poverty level would purchase equipment at the negotiated discount. The program

would be administered by the department of administration with an annual appropriation of two

hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to fund the program.

     This act would take effect on July 1, 2021.

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