Chapter 233
2018 -- H 8188
Enacted 07/02/2018

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

Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Fellela, and Tanzi
Date Introduced: May 11, 2018

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 12-29-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-29 entitled "Domestic
Violence Prevention Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     12-29-12. Domestic violence prevention fund -- policy. Deborah DeBare 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) Deborah DeBare Domestic domestic violence prevention fund:
     (1) There is created the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund program, to
be administered by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
     (2) The Deborah DeBare 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 his or her designee; the director of the
department of health, or their his or her designee; the director of the department of human
services, or their his or her designee; the attorney general, or their his or her 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 Deborah DeBare 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 Deborah DeBare 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 upon passage.
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LC005631
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