2022 -- H 8230

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Marszalkowski, Place, Vella-Wilkinson,
Noret, McEntee, Costantino, Hawkins, Baginski, and Shanley

     Date Introduced: May 11, 2022

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 11-37-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-37 entitled "Sexual

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Assault" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     11-37-6. Third degree sexual assault.

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     (a) Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, "position of authority" means and includes,

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but is not limited to, any person who is acting in the place of a parent and charged with any of a

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parent's rights, duties or responsibilities to a person under the age of eighteen (18) years, or a person

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who is charged with any duty or responsibility for the health, welfare, or supervision of a person

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under the age of eighteen (18) years, either independently or through another, no matter how brief,

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at the time of the act.

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     (b) A person is guilty of third degree sexual assault if:

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     (1) he He or she is over the age of eighteen (18) years and engaged in sexual penetration

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with another person over the age of fourteen (14) years and under the age of consent, sixteen (16)

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years of age.; or

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     (2) He or she is over the age of eighteen (18) years and engaged in sexual penetration or

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sexual contact with another person over the age of fourteen (14) years and under the age of eighteen

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(18) years, under circumstances whereby:

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     (i) The accused has supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the

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accused's legal, professional or occupational status; or

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     (ii) The accused is otherwise acting in a position of authority with respect to the victim.

 

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     (iii) It shall not be a violation of subsection (b)(2) of this section if the parties are:

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     (A) Engaging in sexual penetration or contact consensually;

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     (B) Between the ages of sixteen (16) and twenty (20) years; and

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     (C) No more than thirty (30) months apart in age.

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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 -- SEXUAL ASSAULT

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     This act would define any act of sexual penetration or contact perpetrated by an individual

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with a position of authority upon a person over the age of fourteen (14) and under the age of

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eighteen (18) as third degree sexual assault.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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