§ 12-29-1. Legislative purpose. (a) The purpose of this chapter is to recognize the importance of domestic violence as a serious crime against society and to assure victims of domestic violence the maximum protection from abuse which the law and those who enforce the law can provide. (b) While the legislature finds that the existing […]
§ 12-29-1.1. Full faith and credit. (a) Any protective order issued by another jurisdiction, as defined in § 12-29-2, shall be given full faith and credit throughout the state and enforced as if it were issued in the state for as long as the order is in effect in the issuing jurisdiction. (b) A person […]
§ 12-29-1.2. Issuance of protective orders. Every order of this court made pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8, chapter 15 of title 15, and this chapter, after proper notice and hearing, shall contain the following language: “THIS COURT HAD JURISDICTION OVER THE PARTIES AND THE SUBJECT MATTER WHEN IT ISSUED THIS PROTECTIVE ORDER. RESPONDENT […]
§ 12-29-10. Severability. If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to […]
§ 12-29-11. Repealed.
§ 12-29-12. 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, […]
§ 12-29-2. Definitions. (a) “Domestic violence” includes, but is not limited to, any of the following crimes when committed by one family or household member against another: (1) Simple assault (§ 11-5-3); (2) Felony assaults (chapter 5 of title 11); (3) Vandalism (§ 11-44-1); (4) Disorderly conduct (§ 11-45-1); (5) Trespass (§ 11-44-26); (6) Kidnapping […]
§ 12-29-3. Law enforcement officers — Duties and immunity. (a) The primary duty of law enforcement officers when responding to a domestic violence situation is to enforce the laws allegedly violated and to protect the victim. (b)(1) When a law enforcement officer responds to a domestic violence situation and has probable cause to believe that […]
§ 12-29-4. Restrictions upon and duties of court. (a)(1) Because of the likelihood of repeated violence directed at those who have been victims of domestic violence in the past, when a person is charged with or arrested for a crime involving domestic violence, that person may not be released from custody on bail or personal […]
§ 12-29-4.1. Speedy trial. In any action under this chapter, the court and the attorney general’s office shall take appropriate action to ensure a speedy trial to minimize the length of time the victim must endure the stress of involvement in the proceeding. In ruling on any motion or request for a delay or continuance […]
§ 12-29-5. Disposition of domestic violence cases. (a) Every person convicted of, or placed on probation for, a crime involving domestic violence or whose case is filed pursuant to § 12-10-12 where the defendant pleads nolo contendere, in addition to any other sentence imposed or counseling ordered, shall be ordered by the judge to attend, […]
§ 12-29-5.1. Oversight committee created — Composition. (a) There is created a batterers intervention standards oversight committee, referred to in this chapter as the committee pursuant to the provisions of § 12-29-5. (b) The committee shall meet no fewer than four (4) times per year at the call of the chairperson or upon petition of […]
§ 12-29-5.2. Duties and responsibilities of committee. (a) The committee shall have the duties and responsibilities to: (1) Establish and promulgate minimum standards for batterers intervention programs serving persons mandated pursuant to § 12-29-5; revise the standards as is deemed necessary; ensure the standards comport with evidence-informed practices designed to reduce risk; and make the […]
§ 12-29-5.3. Subcommittees, task forces, focus groups and advisory committees. (a) The committee may establish and appoint any subcommittees, task forces, focus groups and advisory committees that it deems necessary from time to time to carry out the provisions of this chapter. (b) The committee shall promulgate its rules of procedure governing its operations in […]
§ 12-29-6. Training. (a) The curriculum for new law enforcement officers presented at the Providence police academy, the state police academy, and the municipal police academy shall include at least eight (8) hours of training on domestic violence issues. That training shall stress the enforcement of criminal law in domestic violence cases and shall include: […]
§ 12-29-6.1. Creation of domestic violence training and monitoring unit. There is created the domestic violence training and monitoring unit, which shall be administered under the direction of the state court administrator. History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 223, § 2; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 42.
§ 12-29-7. Domestic abuse court advocacy project. (a) There is established within the court system a domestic abuse court advocacy project to provide the services as set forth in subsection (b) of this section. The administrator of the court system may contract with a nonprofit agency or organization which has a demonstrated record of service […]
§ 12-29-8. Domestic violence reports. (a) A law enforcement officer who responds to or investigates a domestic violence incident shall complete a domestic violence report, whether or not an arrest occurs. (b) For the purpose of establishing accurate data on the extent and severity of domestic violence in the state and on the degree of […]
§ 12-29-8.1. Restraining order no-contact order system (R.O.N.C.O.). (a) All domestic violence and sexual assault protective orders must be filed in the R.O.N.C.O. system at the attorney general’s bureau of criminal identification (B.C.I.) unit. (b)(1) All protective orders from district court, superior court, family court, police departments and bail commissioners must be filed upon issuance […]
§ 12-29-9. Medical data collection reports. (a)(1) For the purpose of documenting incidents of family violence resulting in injuries treated at medical facilities or by medical providers and of providing statistically valid information on the extent of family violence, the domestic violence training and monitoring unit of the court system shall prescribe a form for […]
