2020 -- S 2867

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LC005427

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS ON POLICIES PERTAINING TO THE RHODE ISLAND LAW

ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS (LEOBOR)

     Introduced By: Senators Metts, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, and Coyne

     Date Introduced: June 12, 2020

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     WHEREAS, The safety and security of individuals is a high priority and of utmost

concern; and

     WHEREAS, In a free society, law enforcement is essential in order to promote public

safety and uphold the rule of law so that individual liberty may flourish; and

     WHEREAS, Good will, trust, and accountability between law enforcement and the

communities they are sworn to protect is crucial to advancing these goals; and

     WHEREAS, The Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights ("LEOBOR") was adopted in

Rhode Island in 1976, and was codified in Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 42-28.6; and

     WHEREAS, Since its passing, the LEOBOR has been amended several times, however it

has not undergone a substantive review since 1995; and

     WHEREAS, Recent events and tragedies have again revealed the need to review and

strengthen conduct and discipline policies within law enforcement agencies across the nation and

in Rhode Island, thus, it is essential that a comprehensive examination and evaluation of the

LEOBOR is undertaken; now, therefore be it

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

consisting of thirteen (13) members; three (3) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more

than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of

whom shall be the Rhode Island Attorney General, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, or designee; one of whom shall be a police chief

of a Rhode Island law enforcement agency, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of

whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Human Rights Commission, or

designee; one of whom shall be the President of the National Association for the Advancement of

Colored People Providence Branch (NAACP), or designee; one of whom shall be the President of

the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the

Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Executive Director of the Providence External Review Authority, or designee; and two (2) of

whom shall be members of the public to be appointed by the Senate President.

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

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission or task force created by a

General Assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general

public to serve in lieu of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of

the political party which is entitled to the appointment consents to the member of the general

public.

     The purpose of said task force shall be to make a comprehensive study and provide

recommendations on the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights including, but not limited to:

     Protect the rights of our residents;

     Conduct and accountability responsibilities;

     Police relations with racial and ethnic minority communities;

     Police management;

     Disciplinary procedures;

     Enhanced training for cultural competency; and

     Diversity in all law enforcement agencies.

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

call of the President of the Senate who shall appoint a chairperson, and organize.

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

     The membership of said task force 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 task force and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable

by the task force to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

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

suitable quarters for said task force; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the

Senate no later than February 9, 2021, and said task force shall expire on May 9, 2021.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS ON POLICIES PERTAINING TO THE RHODE ISLAND LAW

ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS (LEOBOR)

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     This resolution would create a thirteen (13) member special legislative study task force

whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations on policies pertaining to the

Rhode Island Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, and who would report back to the Senate

no later than February 9, 2021, and whose life would expire on May 9, 2021.

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