2023 -- H 5704

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LC001154

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISORDERLY CONDUCT

     Introduced By: Representatives Noret, Casimiro, Corvese, Bennett, Craven, Shanley,
Vella-Wilkinson, Knight, Solomon, and McNamara

     Date Introduced: February 17, 2023

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-11 of the General Laws entitled "Disorderly Conduct" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     11-11-8. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Civil, social, and fraternal association" means any group not organized for profit, but

operated exclusively for the benefit of its members, promotion of the common good and the social

welfare of the community as a whole.

     (2) "Educational institution" means any pre-school, elementary school, secondary school,

college or university or any property owned or utilized by the institution.

     (3) "Mass violence" means physical injury that a reasonable person could conclude would

lead to permanent physical or emotional injury or death to two (2) or more people.

     (4) "Religious institution" means any church, chapel, synagogue, temple, meeting house,

mosque or other building regularly used and identified as a place for religious worship, or property

utilized by the institution.

     11-11-9. Threats prohibited.

     (a) Any person who, by means of communication to any person or group of persons,

threatens to commit an act of mass violence at an educational institution, religious institution, or at

any activity sponsored by the institution, as well as any civic, social or fraternal association or any

activity sponsored by the association, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

     (b) Any person convicted of violating subsection (a) of this section may be punished by a

term of imprisonment of up to one year, and/or ordered to pay restitution, costs and consequential

damages resulting from the disruption of the normal activity that would have occurred on the

premises but for the threat.

     11-11-10. False reports prohibited.

     (a) Any person who, by means of communication to any person or groups of persons,

makes a report, knowing or having reason to know the report is false, that an act of mass violence

is going to occur at an educational or religious institution, civic, social or fraternal association or at

any activity sponsored by the institution or association, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

     (b) Any person convicted of violating subsection (a) of this section may be punished by a

term of imprisonment of up to one year, and/or ordered to pay restitution, costs and consequential

damages resulting from the disruption of the normal activity that would have occurred on the

premises but for the false report.

     11-11-11. Bail and pretrial release.

     (a) In all cases in which a defendant is charged with communication of a threat or false

report in violation of §§ 11-11-9 or 11-11-10, the court shall direct the department of probation to

provide a report about the defendant outlining their criminal history, community ties, work history,

psychological history, if available, and any other relevant information the court may consider in

setting conditions of release.

     (b) Upon a determination that immediate release would pose a danger to the community or

injury to any person, including the defendant, the court may order the defendant remain in custody

for a reasonable period of time, but in no event longer than forty-eight (48) hours, until reasonable

release conditions, that would keep the community safe, are imposed. The court may impose any

reasonable conditions or court order including, but not limited to:

     (1) An extreme risk protection order pursuant to the provisions of chapter 8.3 of title 8;

     (2) A no trespass order for any educational or religious institution;

     (3) A mental health assessment; and/or

     (4) Substance abuse counseling.

     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 -- DISORDERLY CONDUCT

***

     This act would make threats of mass violence and false reports of threats to any educational,

religious institution, social, civic or fraternal associations a misdemeanor and would allow the court

to set reasonable conditions of release of the defendant in order to ensure the safety of the

community.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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