07-R400

2007 -- H 5640

Enacted 07/06/07

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO UNDERTAKE A

COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF SEX OFFENDER LEGISLATION IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representative Peter G. Palumbo

Date Introduced: February 28, 2007

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

consisting of fourteen (14) members; four (4) of whom shall be from the House of

Representatives, not more than three (3) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; four (4) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more than three (3)

from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall

be the Superintendent of the State Police, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive

Director of Justice Assistance, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department

of Corrections, or designee; one of whom shall be the chairperson of the Parole Board, or

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

Presiding Justice of the Superior Court, or designee.

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

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission 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 consent to the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to study all aspects and implications related to

the enactment of sex offender legislation and to make recommendations to the General Assembly.

This study commission shall specifically consider, but is not limited to, the consideration of the

following: Inquiring into whether or not legislation should establish restrictive zones within the

state that certain sex offenders are prohibited from entering; considering the specific location of

such zones; considering who monitors any tracking system of sex offenders; considering the cost

of such a tracking system including the costs of necessary hardware, software, training, and

manpower needs; considering what should occur, including consequences, if a prohibited zone is

violated by a sex offender; considering whether entering a restricted zone is a new crime or a

violation of the terms of any bail, parole, or probation; considering what activity will be deemed

sufficient probable cause with regard to any offenses or violations considered; considering and

determining whether there will be consequences for the failure of an offender to recharge or

maintain the tracking unit; and any other aspect or implication related to the foregoing. The study

commission is also authorized to study and recommend amendments, new enactments, or

deletions to any previously enacted laws relating to sex offenders.

     The membership of said commission 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 commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House shall designate one House member as a co-chair and the

President of the Senate shall designate one Senate member as a co-chair.

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

suitable quarters for said commission.

     The commission shall meet at the call of the co-chairs; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

General Assembly no later than April 26, 2008, and said commission shall expire on August 30,

2008.

=======

LC02200

========