Chapter 070
2018 -- H 8350
Enacted 06/28/2018

A N   A C T
RELATING TO THE ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2019

Introduced By: Representative Marvin L. Abney
Date Introduced: June 22, 2018

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 42-61-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-61 entitled "State
Lottery" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     42-61-4. Powers and duties of director.
     The director shall have the power and it shall be his or her duty to:
     (1) Supervise and administer the operation of lotteries in accordance with this chapter,
chapter 61.2 of this title and with the rules and regulations of the division;
     (2) Act as the chief administrative officer having general charge of the office and records
and to employ necessary personnel to serve at his or her pleasure and who shall be in the
unclassified service and whose salaries shall be set by the director of the department of revenue,
pursuant to the provisions of § 42-61-3.;
     (3) In accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the division, license
as agents to sell lottery tickets those persons, as in his or her opinion, who will best serve the
public convenience and promote the sale of tickets or shares. The director may require a bond
from every licensed agent, in an amount provided in the rules and regulations of the division.
Every licensed agent shall prominently display his or her license, or a copy of their his or her
license, as provided in the rules and regulations of the committee;
     (4) Confer regularly as necessary or desirable, and not less than nine (9) times per year,
with the permanent joint committee on state lottery on the operation and administration of the
lotteries; make available for inspection by the committee, upon request, all books, records, files,
and other information, and documents of the division; advise the committee and recommend
those matters that he or she deems necessary and advisable to improve the operation and
administration of the lotteries;
     (5) Suspend or revoke any license issued pursuant to this chapter, chapter 61.2 of this title
or the rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter and chapter 61.2 of this title;
     (6) Enter into contracts for the operation of the lotteries, or any part of the operation of
the lotteries, and into contracts for the promotion of the lotteries;
     (7) Ensure that monthly financial reports are prepared providing gross monthly revenues,
prize disbursements, other expenses, net income, and the amount transferred to the state general
fund for keno and for all other lottery operations; submit this report to the state budget officer, the
auditor general, the permanent joint committee on state lottery, the legislative fiscal advisors, and
the governor no later than the twentieth business day following the close of the month; the
monthly report shall be prepared in a manner prescribed by the members of the revenues revenue
estimating conference; at the end of each fiscal year the director shall submit an annual report
based upon an accrual system of accounting which that shall include a full and complete
statement of lottery revenues, prize disbursements, and expenses, to the governor and the general
assembly, which report shall be a public document and shall be filed with the secretary of state;
     (8) Carry on a continuous study and investigation of the state lotteries throughout the
state, and the operation and administration of similar laws, which may be in effect in other states
or countries; and the director shall continue to exercise his or her authority to study, evaluate,
and where deemed feasible and advisable by the director, implement lottery-related initiatives,
including but not limited to, pilot programs for limited periods of time, with the goal of
generating additional revenues to be transferred by the Lottery lottery to the general fund
pursuant to § 42-61-15(a)(3). Each such initiative shall be objectively evaluated from time to time
using measurable criteria to determine whether the initiative is generating revenue to be
transferred by the Lottery lottery to the general fund. Nothing herein shall be deemed to permit
the implementation of an initiative that would be inconsistent with existing law or that would
constitute an expansion of gambling requiring voter approval under applicable Rhode Island law.;
     (9) Implement the creation and sale of commercial advertising space on lottery tickets as
authorized by § 42-61-4 of this chapter this section as soon as practicable after June 22, 1994;
     (10) Promulgate rules and regulations, which shall include, but not be limited to:
     (i) The price of tickets or shares in the lotteries;
     (ii) The number and size of the prizes on the winning tickets or shares;
     (iii) The manner of selecting the winning tickets or shares;
     (iv) The manner of payment of prizes to the holders of winning tickets or shares;
     (v) The frequency of the drawings or selections of winning tickets or shares;
     (vi) The number and types of location locations at which tickets or shares may be sold;
     (vii) The method to be used in selling tickets or shares;
     (viii) The licensing of agents to sell tickets or shares, except that a person under the age
of eighteen (18) shall not be licensed as an agent;
     (ix) The license fee to be charged to agents;
     (x) The manner in which the proceeds of the sale of lottery tickets or shares are
maintained, reported, and otherwise accounted for;
     (xi) The manner and amount of compensation to be paid licensed sales agents necessary
to provide for the adequate availability of tickets or shares to prospective buyers and for the
convenience of the general public;
     (xii) The apportionment of the total annual revenue accruing from the sale of lottery
tickets or shares and from all other sources for the payment of prizes to the holders of winning
tickets or shares, for the payment of costs incurred in the operation and administration of the
lotteries, including the expense of the division and the costs resulting from any contract or
contracts entered into for promotional, advertising, consulting, or operational services or for the
purchase or lease of facilities, lottery equipment, and materials, for the repayment of moneys
appropriated to the lottery fund;
     (xiii) The superior court upon petition of the director after a hearing may issue subpoenas
to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, papers, books, records,
and other evidence in any matter over which it has jurisdiction, control, or supervision. If a
person subpoenaed to attend in the proceeding or hearing fails to obey the command of the
subpoena without reasonable cause, or if a person in attendance in the proceeding or hearing
refuses without lawful cause to be examined or to answer a legal or pertinent question or to
exhibit any book, account, record, or other document when ordered to do so by the court, that
person may be punished for contempt of the court;
     (xiv) The manner, standards, and specification for the process of competitive bidding for
division purchases and contracts; and
     (xv) The sale of commercial advertising space on the reverse side of, or in other available
areas upon, lottery tickets provided that all net revenue derived from the sale of the advertising
space shall be deposited immediately into the state's general fund and shall not be subject to the
provisions of § 42-61-15. 
     SECTION 2. Sections 42-61.2-1, 42-61.2.4 and 42-61.2-3.3 of the General Laws in
Chapter 42-61.2 entitled "Video-Lottery Games, Table Games and Sports Wagering" are hereby
amended to read as follows:
     42-61.2-1. Definitions.
     For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall mean:
     (1)(2) "Central communication system" means a system approved by the lottery division,
linking all video-lottery machines at a licensee location to provide auditing program information
and any other information determined by the lottery. In addition, the central communications
system must provide all computer hardware and related software necessary for the establishment
and implementation of a comprehensive system as required by the division. The central
communications licensee may provide a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the video-lottery
terminals.
     (2)(9) "Licensed, video-lottery retailer" means a pari-mutuel licensee specifically
licensed by the director subject to the approval of the division to become a licensed, video-lottery
retailer.
     (3)(11) "Net terminal income" means currency placed into a video-lottery terminal less
credits redeemed for cash by players.
     (4)(15) "Pari-mutuel licensee" means:
     (i) An entity licensed pursuant to § 41-3.1-3; and/or
     (ii) An entity licensed pursuant to § 41-7-3.
     (5)(26) "Technology provider" means any individual, partnership, corporation, or
association that designs, manufactures, installs, maintains, distributes, or supplies video-lottery
machines or associated equipment for the sale or use in this state.
     (6)(30) "Video-lottery games" means lottery games played on video-lottery terminals
controlled by the lottery division.
     (7)(31) "Video-lottery terminal" means any electronic computerized video game machine
that, upon the insertion of cash or any other representation of value that has been approved by the
division of lotteries, is available to play a video game authorized by the lottery division, and that
uses a video display and microprocessors in which, by chance, the player may receive free games
or credits that can be redeemed for cash. The term does not include a machine that directly
dispenses coins, cash, or tokens.
     (8)(1) "Casino gaming" means any and all table and casino-style games played with
cards, dice, or equipment, for money, credit, or any representative of value; including, but not
limited to, roulette, blackjack, big six, craps, poker, baccarat, paigow, any banking or percentage
game, or any other game of device included within the definition of Class III gaming as that term
is defined in Section 2703(8) of Title 25 of the United States Code and that is approved by the
state through the division of state lottery.
     (9)(10) "Net, table-game revenue" means win from table games minus counterfeit
currency.
     (10)(18) "Rake" means a set fee or percentage of cash and chips representing cash
wagered in the playing of a nonbanking table game assessed by a table games retailer for
providing the services of a dealer, gaming table, or location, to allow the play of any nonbanking
table game.
     (11)(24) "Table game" or "Table gaming" means that type of casino gaming in which
table games are played for cash or chips representing cash, or any other representation of value
that has been approved by the division of lotteries, using cards, dice, or equipment and conducted
by one or more live persons.
     (12)(25) "Table-game retailer" means a retailer authorized to conduct table gaming
pursuant to §§ 42-61.2-2.1 or 42-61.2-2.3.
     (13)(4) "Credit facilitator" means any employee of a licensed, video-lottery retailer
approved in writing by the division whose responsibility is to, among other things, review
applications for credit by players, verify information on credit applications, grant, deny, and
suspend credit, establish credit limits, increase and decrease credit limits, and maintain credit
files, all in accordance with this chapter and rules and regulations approved by the division.
     (14)(12) "Newport Grand" means Newport Grand, LLC, a Rhode Island limited-liability
company, successor to Newport Grand Jai Alai, LLC, and each permitted successor to and
assignee of Newport Grand, LLC under the Newport Grand Master Contract, including, but not
limited to, Premier Entertainment II, LLC and/or Twin River-Tiverton, LLC, provided it is a pari-
mutuel licensee as defined in § 42-61.2-1 et seq.; provided, further, however, where the context
indicates that the term is referring to the physical facility, then it shall mean the gaming and
entertainment facility located at 150 Admiral Kalbfus Road, Newport, Rhode Island.
     (15)(13) "Newport Grand Marketing Year" means each fiscal year of the state or a
portion thereof between November 23, 2010, and the termination date of the Newport Grand
Master Contract.
     (16)(14) "Newport Grand Master Contract" means that certain master video-lottery
terminal contract made as of November 23, 2005, by and between the Division division of
Lotteries lotteries of the Rhode Island department of administration and Newport Grand, as
amended and extended from time to time as authorized therein and/or as such Newport Grand
Master Contract may be assigned as permitted therein.
     (17) "Premier" means Premier Entertainment II, LLC and/or its successor in interest by
reason of the acquisition of the stock, membership interests, or substantially all of the assets of
such entity.
     (18)(29) "Twin River-Tiverton" means Twin River-Tiverton, LLC and/or its successor in
interest by reason of the acquisition of the stock, membership interests, or substantially all of the
assets of such entity.
     (19)(22) "Sports-wagering revenue" means:
     (1) The total of cash or cash equivalents received from sports wagering minus the total
of:
     (i) Cash or cash equivalents paid to players as a result of sports wagering;
     (ii) The annual flat fee to the host communities as defined by § 42-61.2-2.4(c) § 42-61.2-
5(c) of the general laws;
     (iii) Marketing expenses related to sports wagering as agreed to by the division, the
sports-wagering vendor, and the host facilities, as approved by the division of the lottery; and
     (iv) Any federal excise taxes (if applicable).
      (2) The term does not include any of the following:
     (i) Counterfeit cash.
     (ii) Coins or currency of other countries received as a result of sports wagering, except to
the extent that the coins or currency are readily convertible to cash.
     (iii) Cash taken in a fraudulent act perpetrated against a hosting facility or sports-
wagering vendor for which the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor is not reimbursed.
     (iv) Free play provided by the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor as authorized by
the division of lottery to a patron and subsequently "won back" by the hosting facility or sports-
wagering vendor, for which the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor can demonstrate that it
or its affiliate has not been reimbursed in cash.
     (20)(19) "Sporting event" means any professional sport or athletic event, any Olympic or
international sports competition event, and any collegiate sport or athletic event, or any portion
thereof, including, but not limited to, the individual performance statistics of athletes in a sports
event or combination of sports events, except "sports event" shall not include a prohibited sports
event.
      (21)(3) "Collegiate sports or athletic event" shall not include a collegiate sports contest
or collegiate athletic event that takes place in Rhode Island or a sports contest or athletic event in
which any Rhode Island college team participates regardless of where the event takes place.
     (22)(20) "Sports wagering" means the business of accepting wagers on sporting events or
a combination of sporting events, or on the individual performance statistics of athletes in a
sporting event or combination of sporting events, by any system or method of wagering. The term
includes, but is not limited to, exchange wagering, parlays, over-under, moneyline, pools, and
straight bets, and the term includes the placement of such bets and wagers. However, the term
does not include, without limitation, the following:
     (1) Lotteries, including video-lottery games and other types of casino gaming operated by
the state, through the division, on the date this act is enacted.
     (2) Pari-mutuel betting on the outcome of thoroughbred or harness horse racing, or
greyhound dog racing, including but not limited to, pari-mutuel wagering on a race that is
"simulcast" (as defined in section § 41-11-1 of the general laws), as regulated elsewhere pursuant
to the general laws, including in chapters 41-3, 41-3.1, 41-4 and 41-11 of the general laws 3, 3.1,
4, and 11 of title 41.
     (3) Off-track betting on racing events, as regulated elsewhere pursuant to the general
laws, including in chapter 41-10 of the general laws 10 of title 41.
     (4) Wagering on the respective scores or points of the game of jai alai or pelota and the
sale of pari-mutuel pools related to such games, as regulated elsewhere pursuant to the general
laws, including in chapter 41-7 of the general laws 7 of title 41.
     (5) Lotteries, charitable gaming, games of chance, bingo games, raffles, and pull-tab
lottery tickets, to the extent permitted and regulated pursuant to chapter 11-19 of the general laws
19 of title 11.
     (23)(21) "Sports-wagering device" means any mechanical, electrical, or computerized
contrivance, terminal, machine, or other device, apparatus, equipment, or supplies approved by
the division and used to conduct sports wagering.
     (24)(23) "Sports-wagering vendor" means any entity authorized by the division of lottery
to operate sports betting on the division’s behalf in accordance with this chapter.
     (25)(16) "Payoff", when used in connection with sports wagering, means cash or cash
equivalents paid to a player as a result of the player’s winning a sports wager. A "payoff" is a
type of "prize," as the term "prize" is used in chapter 42-61, chapter 42-61.2 and in chapter 42-
61.3 chapters 61, 61.2, and 61.3 of this title.
     (26)(27) "Tiverton gaming facility" (sometimes referred to as "Twin River–Tiverton")
means the gaming and entertainment facility located in the Town town of Tiverton at the
intersection of William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road.
     (27)(28) "Twin River" (sometimes referred to as "UTGR") means UTGR, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, and each permitted successor to and assignee of UTGR, Inc.; provided
further, however, where the context indicates that the term is referring to a physical facility, then
"Twin River" or "Twin River gaming facility" shall mean the gaming and entertainment facility
located at 100 Twin River Road in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
     (28)(8) "Hosting facility" refers to Twin River and the Tiverton gaming facility.
     (29)(5) "DBR" means the department of business regulation, division of licensing and
gaming and athletics gaming and athletics licensing, and/or any successor in interest thereto.
     (30)(7) "Division,", "division of lottery,", "division of lotteries", or "lottery division"
means the division of lotteries within the department of revenue and/or any successor in interest
thereto.
     (31)(6) "Director" means the director of the division.
     42-61.2-2.4. State to conduct sports-wagering hosted by Twin River and the
Tiverton Gaming Facility.
     (a) The state, through the division of lotteries, shall implement, operate, conduct, and
control sports wagering at the Twin River gaming facility and the Twin River-Tiverton gaming
facility, once Twin River-Tiverton is licensed as a video-lottery and table-game retailer. In
furtherance thereof, the state, through the division, shall have full operational control to operate
such the sports wagering, including, without limitation, the power and authority to:
     (1) Establish, with respect to sports wagering, one or more systems for linking, tracking,
depositing, and reporting of receipts, audits, annual reports, prohibited conduct, and other such
matters determined by the division from time to time;
     (2) Collect all sports-wagering revenue indirectly through Twin River and Tiverton
gaming facilities, require that the Twin River and Tiverton gaming facilities collect all sports-
wagering revenue in trust for the state (through the division), deposit such sports-wagering
revenue into an account or accounts of the division’s choice, allocate such sports-wagering
revenue according to law, and otherwise maintain custody and control over all sports-wagering
revenue;
     (3) Hold and exercise sufficient powers over the Twin River and Tiverton gaming
facilities’ accounting and finances to allow for adequate oversight and verification of the financial
aspects of sports wagering hosted at their respective facilities in Lincoln and Tiverton, including,
without limitation:
     (i) The right to require the Twin River and Tiverton gaming facilities to maintain an
annual balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and any other necessary information or reports;
     (ii) The authority and power to conduct periodic compliance or special or focused audits
of the information or reports provided, as well as the premises within the facilities containing
records of sports wagering or in which the sports-wagering activities are conducted; and
     (4) Monitor the sports-wagering operations hosted by the Twin River and Tiverton
gaming facilities and have the power to terminate or suspend any sports-wagering activities in the
event of an integrity concern or other threat to the public trust, and in furtherance thereof, require
Twin River and Tiverton, respectively, to provide a specified area or areas from which to conduct
such monitoring activities;
     (5) Through the use of a sports-wagering vendor, define and limit the rules of play and
odds of authorized sports-wagering games, including, without limitation, the minimum and
maximum wagers for each sports-wagering game. Sports-wagering payoffs shall not be subject to
any limitation or restriction related to sports-wagering revenue or lottery revenue.
     (6) Establish compulsive gambling treatment programs;
     (7) Promulgate, or propose for promulgation, any legislative, interpretive, and procedural
rules necessary for the successful implementation, administration, and enforcement of this
chapter; and
     (8) Hold all other powers necessary and proper to fully effectively execute and administer
the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of allowing the state to operate sports wagering
hosted by the Twin River and Tiverton gaming facilities.
     (b) The state, through the division and/or the DBR, shall have approval rights over
matters relating to the employment of individuals to be involved, directly or indirectly, with the
operation of sports wagering at the Twin River and Tiverton gaming facilities.;
     (c) Nothing in this chapter 42-61.2 or elsewhere in the general laws shall be construed to
create a separate license governing the hosting of sports wagering in Rhode Island by licensed
video-lottery and table-game retailers.
     (d) The state, through the division, shall have authority to issue such regulations as it
deems appropriate pertaining to the control, operation, and management of sports wagering. The
state, through DBR, shall have authority to issue such regulations as it deems appropriate
pertaining to the employment of individuals to be involved, directly or indirectly, with the
operations of sports wagering as set forth in subsection (b) of this section.
     (e) Any list or other identifiable data of sports-wagering players generated or maintained
by the sports-wagering vendor or the hosting facility as a result of sports wagering shall be the
exclusive property of the division, provided that the hosting facilities shall be permitted to use
any such list or other identifiable data for marketing purposes to the extent it currently uses
similar data, and, as approved by the division and for other marketing purposes to directly or
indirectly generate additional gaming revenue, as approved by the division.
     42-61.2-3.3. Sports wagering regulation.
     (a) In addition to the powers and duties of the division director under §§ 42-61-4, 42-
61.2-3, 42-61.2-4 and 42-61.2-3.1, and pursuant to § 42-61.2-2.4, the division director shall
promulgate rules and regulations relating to sports wagering and set policy therefor. These rules
and regulations shall establish standards and procedures for sports waging wagering and
associated devices, equipment, and accessories, and shall include, but not be limited to:
     (1) Approve standards, rules, and regulations to govern the conduct of sports wagering
and the system of wagering associated with sports wagering, including without limitation:
     (i) The objects of the sports wagering (i.e., the sporting events upon which sports-
wagering bets may be accepted) and methods of play, including what constitutes win, loss, or tie
bets;
     (ii) The manner in which sports-wagering bets are received, payoffs are remitted, and
point spreads, lines, and odds are determined for each type of available sports wagering bet;
     (iii) Physical characteristics of any devices, equipment, and accessories related to sports
wagering;
     (iv) The applicable inspection procedures for any devices, equipment, and accessories
related to sports wagering;
     (v) Procedures for the collection of bets and payoffs, including but not limited to,
requirements for internal revenue service purposes;
     (vi) Procedures for handling suspected cheating and sports-wagering irregularities; and
     (vii) Procedures for handling any defective or malfunctioning devices, equipment, and
accessories related to sports wagering.
     (2) Establishing the method for calculating sports-wagering revenue and standards for the
daily counting and recording of cash and cash equivalents received in the conduct of sports
wagering, and ensuring that internal controls are followed and financial books and records are
maintained and audits are conducted;
     (3) Establishing the number and type of sports-wagering bets authorized at the hosting
facility, including any new sports-wagering bets or variations or composites of approved sports-
wagering bets, and all rules related thereto;
     (4) Establishing any sports-wagering rule changes, sports-wagering minimum and
maximum bet changes, and changes to the types of sports-wagering products offered at a
particular hosting facility, including but not limited to, any new sports-wagering bets or variations
or composites of approved sports-wagering bets, and including all rules related thereto;
     (5) Requiring the hosting facility and/or sports-wagering vendor to:
     (i) Provide written information at each sports-wagering location within the hosting
facility about wagering rules, payoffs on winning sports wagers, and other information as the
division may require.;
     (ii) Provide specifications approved by the division to integrate and update the hosting
facility’s surveillance system to cover all areas within the hosting facility where sports wagering
is conducted and other areas as required by the division. The specifications shall include
provisions providing the division and other persons authorized by the division with onsite access
to the system.;
     (iii) Designate one or more locations within the hosting facility where sports-wagering
bets are received.;
     (iv) Ensure that visibility in a hosting facility is not obstructed in any way that could
interfere with the ability of the division, the sports wagering vendor hosting facility, or other
persons authorized under this section or by the division to oversee the surveillance of the conduct
of sports wagering.;
     (v) Ensure that the count rooms for sports wagering has have appropriate security for the
counting and storage of cash.;
     (vi) Ensure that drop boxes are brought into or removed from an area where sports
wagering is conducted or locked or unlocked in accordance with procedures established by the
division.;
     (vii) Designate secure locations for the inspection, service, repair, or storage of sports-
wagering equipment and for employee training and instruction to be approved by the division.;
     (vii)(viii) Establish standards prohibiting persons under eighteen (18) years of age from
participating in sports wagering.;
     (ix) Establish compulsive and problem gambling standards and/or programs pertaining to
sports wagering consistent with general laws chapter 42-61. 2 this chapter.
     (6) Establishing the minimal proficiency requirements for those individuals accepting
sports wagers and administering payoffs on winning sports wagers. The foregoing requirements
of this subsection may be in addition to any rules or regulations of the DBR requiring licensing of
personnel of state-operated gaming facilities;
     (7) Establish appropriate eligibility requirements and standards for traditional sports-
wagering equipment suppliers; and
     (8) Any other matters necessary for conducting sports wagering.
     (b) The hosting facility shall provide secure, segregated facilities as required by the
division on the premises for the exclusive use of the division staff and the gaming enforcement
unit of the state police. Such The space shall be located proximate to the gaming floor and shall
include surveillance equipment, monitors with full camera control capability, as well as other
office equipment that may be deemed necessary by the division. The location and size of the
space and necessary equipment shall be subject to the approval of the division.
     SECTION 3. Section 14-1-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 14-1 entitled "Proceedings
in Family Court" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     14-1-6. Retention of jurisdiction.
     (a) When the court shall have obtained jurisdiction over any child prior to the child
having attained the age of eighteen (18) years by the filing of a petition alleging that the child is
wayward or delinquent pursuant to § 14-1-5, the child shall, except as specifically provided in
this chapter, continue under the jurisdiction of the court until he or she becomes nineteen (19)
years of age, unless discharged prior to turning nineteen (19).
      (b) When the court shall have obtained jurisdiction over any child prior to the child's
eighteenth (18th) birthday by the filing of a miscellaneous petition or a petition alleging that the
child is dependent, neglected, or abused pursuant to §§ 14-1-5 and 40-11-7 or 42-72-14, the child
shall, except as specifically provided in this chapter, continue under the jurisdiction of the court
until he or she becomes eighteen (18) years of age; provided, that at least six (6) months prior to a
child turning eighteen (18) years of age, the court shall require the department of children, youth
and families to provide a description of the transition services including the child's housing,
health insurance, education and/or employment plan, available mentors and continuing support
services, including workforce supports and employment services afforded the child in placement,
or a detailed explanation as to the reason those services were not offered. As part of the transition
planning, the child shall be informed by the department of the opportunity to voluntarily agree to
extended care and placement by the department and legal supervision by the court until age
twenty-one (21). The details of a child's transition plan shall be developed in consultation with
the child, wherever possible, and approved by the court prior to the dismissal of an abuse, neglect,
dependency, or miscellaneous petition before the child's twenty-first birthday.
     (c) A child, who is in foster care on their eighteenth birthday due to the filing of a
miscellaneous petition or a petition alleging that the child is dependent, neglected, or abused
pursuant to §§14-1-5, 40-11-7 or 42-72-14, may voluntarily elect to continue responsibility for
care and placement from DCYF and to remain under the legal supervision of the court as a young
adult until age twenty-one (21), provided:
     (1) The young adult was in the legal custody of the department at age eighteen (18); or
and
     (2) The young adult is participating in at least one of the following:
     (i) Completing the requirements to receive a high school diploma or GED;
     (ii) Completing a secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;
enrolled in an institution that provides post-secondary or vocational education;
     (iii) Participating in a job-training program or an activity designed to promote or remove
barriers to employment;
     (iv) Be employed for at least eighty (80) hours per month; or
     (v) Incapable of doing any of the foregoing due to a medical condition that is regularly
updated and documented in the case plan;.
     (d) A former foster child who was adopted or placed in guardianship with an adoption
assistance agreement or a guardianship assistance agreement that was executed on or after his or
her sixteenth birthday and prior to his or her eighteenth birthday may voluntarily agree to
extended care and placement by the department and legal supervision by the court until age
twenty-one (21) if the young adult satisfies the requirements in § 14-1-6(c)(2) subsection (c)(2).
Provided, however, the department retains the right to review the request and first attempt to
address the issues through the adoption assistance agreement by providing post adoptive or post
guardianship support services to the young adult and his or her adoptive or guardianship family.
     (e) Upon the request of the young adult, who voluntarily agreed to the extension of care
and placement by the department and legal supervision by the court, pursuant to subsections (c)
and (d) of this section, the court's legal supervision and the department's responsibility for care
and placement may be terminated. Provided, however, the young adult may request reinstatement
of responsibility and resumption of the court's legal supervision at any time prior to their his or
her twenty-first birthday if the young adult meets the requirements set forth in §14-l-6(c)(3)
subsection (c)(2). If the department wishes to terminate the court's legal supervision and its
responsibility for care and placement, it may file a motion for good cause. The court may exercise
its discretion to terminate legal supervision over the young adult at any time.
     (f) The court may retain jurisdiction of any child who is seriously emotionally disturbed
or developmentally delayed pursuant to § 42-72-5(b)(24)(v) until that child turns age twenty-one
(21) when the court shall have obtained jurisdiction over any child prior to the child's eighteenth
birthday by the filing of a miscellaneous petition or a petition alleging that the child is dependent,
neglected, and/or abused pursuant to §§ 14-1-5, and 40-11-7, or 42-72-14.
      (g) The department of children, youth and families shall work collaboratively with the
department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, and other agencies,
in accordance with § 14-1-59, to provide the family court with a transition plan for those
individuals who come under the court's jurisdiction pursuant to a petition alleging that the child is
dependent, neglected, and/or abused and who are seriously emotionally disturbed or
developmentally delayed pursuant to § 42-72-5(b)(24)(v). This plan shall be a joint plan
presented to the court by the department of children, youth and families and the department of
behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals. The plan shall include the
behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals' community or residential service
level, health insurance option, education plan, available mentors, continuing support services,
workforce supports and employment services, and the plan shall be provided to the court at least
twelve (12) months prior to discharge. At least three (3) months prior to discharge, the plan shall
identify the specific placement for the child, if a residential placement is needed. The court shall
monitor the transition plan. In the instance where the department of behavioral healthcare,
developmental disabilities and hospitals has not made timely referrals to appropriate placements
and services, the department of children, youth and families may initiate referrals.
      (h) The parent and/or guardian and/or guardian ad litem of a child who is seriously
emotionally disturbed or developmentally delayed pursuant to § 42-72-5(b)(24)(v), and who is
before the court pursuant to §§ 14-1-5(1)(iii) through 14-1-5(1)(v), 40-11-7 or 42-72-14, shall be
entitled to a transition hearing, as needed, when the child reaches the age of twenty (20) if no
appropriate transition plan has been submitted to the court by the department of children, youth
person and families and the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and
hospitals. The family court shall require that the department of behavioral healthcare,
developmental disabilities, and hospitals shall immediately identify a liaison to work with the
department of children, youth, and families until the child reaches the age of twenty-one (21) and
an immediate transition plan be submitted if the following facts are found:
     (1) No suitable transition plan has been presented to the court addressing the levels of
service appropriate to meet the needs of the child as identifies by the department of behavioral
healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals: or
     (2) No suitable housing options, health insurance, educational plan, available mentors,
continuing support services, workforce supports, and employment services have been identified
for the child.
      (i) In any case where the court shall not have acquired jurisdiction over any person prior
to the person's eighteenth (18th) birthday by the filing of a petition alleging that the person had
committed an offense, but a petition alleging that the person had committed an offense that would
be punishable as a felony if committed by an adult has been filed before that person attains the
age of nineteen (19) years of age, that person shall, except as specifically provided in this chapter,
be subject to the jurisdiction of the court until he or she becomes nineteen (19) years of age,
unless discharged prior to turning nineteen (19).
      (j) In any case where the court shall not have acquired jurisdiction over any person prior
to the person attaining the age of nineteen (19) years by the filing of a petition alleging that the
person had committed an offense prior to the person attaining the age of eighteen (18) years
which that would be punishable as a felony if committed by an adult, that person shall be referred
to the court that had jurisdiction over the offense if it had been committed by an adult. The court
shall have jurisdiction to try that person for the offense committed prior to the person attaining
the age of eighteen (18) years and, upon conviction, may impose a sentence not exceeding the
maximum penalty provided for the conviction of that offense.
      (k) In any case where the court has certified and adjudicated a child in accordance with
the provisions of §§ 14-1-7.2 and 14-1-7.3, the jurisdiction of the court shall encompass the
power and authority to sentence the child to a period in excess of the age of nineteen (19) years.
However, in no case shall the sentence be in excess of the maximum penalty provided by statute
for the conviction of the offense.
      (l) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the jurisdiction of other courts over
offenses committed by any person after he or she reaches the age of eighteen (18) years.
     SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005982
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