Chapter 135
2016 -- H 7683 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/24/2016

A N   A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

Introduced By: Representatives Blazejewski, Regunberg, Bennett, and Almeida
Date Introduced: February 24, 2016

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Chapter 12-29 of the General Laws entitled "Domestic Violence Prevention
Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     12-29-12. Domestic violence prevention fund - policy. – (a) The general assembly finds
and declares that domestic violence is a serious public health concern in the state of Rhode Island,
and that evidence-based domestic violence prevention programs are important tools in decreasing
the continuing toll that domestic violence takes on Rhode Island communities, cities, and towns.
It is therefore in the best interest of the state to establish a fund to promote effective programs
working toward the primary prevention of domestic violence in Rhode Island.
     (b) Domestic violence prevention fund:
     (1) There is created the domestic violence prevention fund program, to be administered
by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
     (2) The domestic violence prevention fund program monies shall be used to fund
evidence-based programs with the purpose of primary prevention of domestic violence and dating
violence in the state of Rhode Island.
     (3) The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence shall convene a statewide
prevention fund advisory committee comprised of those with knowledge, experience, training
and/or expertise in the field of prevention of domestic violence and dating violence. The
committee members shall include, but are not limited to, the executive director of the Rhode
Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, or their designee; the director of the department of
health, or their designee; the director of the department of human services, or their designee; the
attorney general, or their designee; and representative organizations providing domestic violence
and dating violence primary prevention services in Rhode Island.
     (c) The committee shall be responsible for implementation of programs to prevent
domestic and dating abuse and shall:
     (1) Develop a plan and budget for distribution of funds;
     (2) Develop criteria for awarding and distributing funds received to develop plans and
programs for the prevention of domestic and dating violence;
     (3) Issue requests for proposals to providers, organizations, firms, or entities that will
provide services to the committee;
     (4) Review proposals for the funds and present recommendations to the board of directors
of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence;
     (5) Monitor and account for the expenditure of funds and produce an annual report on the
activities of the domestic violence prevention fund. Annual reports shall be submitted to the
senate and house finance committees of the general assembly for review on or before February 28
of each year; and
     (6) Promote the general development of domestic violence primary prevention programs
and activities.
     (d) Organizations submitting proposals for funds shall not participate in the review of
proposals or expenditure of funds. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence shall
not be eligible to submit proposals for the committee's programs nor shall it be eligible to receive
any funds from the committee except as hereinafter provided.
     (e) The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence may utilize up to ten percent
(10%) of the sums collected for the domestic violence prevention fund for the purpose of
administering the program and it shall also be required to submit an annual report detailing the
expenditure of funds to the senate and house finance committees on or before February 28 of each
year.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on September 1, 2016.
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LC004765/SUB A
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