Title 12
Criminal Procedure

Chapter 1.5
DNA Detection of Sexual and Violent Offenders

R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.5-15

§ 12-1.5-15. Criminal penalties — Civil remedies.

(a) Any person who, by virtue of employment or official position, or any person contracting to carry out any functions under this chapter, including any officers, employees and agents of a contractor, having possession of or access to individually identifiable DNA information contained in the state DNA database or in the state DNA databank and discloses it in any manner to any person or agency not authorized to receive it, commits a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

(b) Except as authorized by law, any person who, for purposes of having DNA analysis performed, obtains or attempts to obtain any DNA sample, or tampers or attempts to tamper with any DNA sample, commits a felony punishable by a fine not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or both.

(c) Any person aggrieved by a violation of § 12-1.5-14 may, in addition, bring a civil action for damages, injunctive relief, and reasonable attorneys’ fees.

History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 33, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 120, § 1.