2023 -- H 5704
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LC001154
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISORDERLY CONDUCT
Introduced By: Representatives Noret, Casimiro, Corvese, Bennett, Craven, Shanley,
Vella-Wilkinson, Knight, Solomon, and McNamara
Date Introduced: February 17, 2023
Referred To: House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 11-11 of the General Laws entitled "Disorderly Conduct" is hereby 1
amended by adding thereto the following sections: 2
11-11-8. Definitions. 3
As used in this chapter: 4
(1) "Civil, social, and fraternal association" means any group not organized for profit, but 5
operated exclusively for the benefit of its members, promotion of the common good and the social 6
welfare of the community as a whole. 7
(2) "Educational institution" means any pre-school, elementary school, secondary school, 8
college or university or any property owned or utilized by the institution. 9
(3) "Mass violence" means physical injury that a reasonable person could conclude would 10
lead to permanent physical or emotional injury or death to two (2) or more people. 11
(4) "Religious institution" means any church, chapel, synagogue, temple, meeting house, 12
mosque or other building regularly used and identified as a place for religious worship, or property 13
utilized by the institution. 14
11-11-9. Threats prohibited. 15
(a) Any person who, by means of communication to any person or group of persons, 16
threatens to commit an act of mass violence at an educational institution, religious institution, or at 17
any activity sponsored by the institution, as well as any civic, social or fraternal association or any 18
activity sponsored by the association, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. 19
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(b) Any person convicted of violating subsection (a) of this section may be punished by a 1
term of imprisonment of up to one year, and/or ordered to pay restitution, costs and consequential 2
damages resulting from the disruption of the normal activity that would have occurred on the 3
premises but for the threat. 4
11-11-10. False reports prohibited. 5
(a) Any person who, by means of communication to any person or groups of persons, 6
makes a report, knowing or having reason to know the report is false, that an act of mass violence 7
is going to occur at an educational or religious institution, civic, social or fraternal association or at 8
any activity sponsored by the institution or association, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. 9
(b) Any person convicted of violating subsection (a) of this section may be punished by a 10
term of imprisonment of up to one year, and/or ordered to pay restitution, costs and consequential 11
damages resulting from the disruption of the normal activity that would have occurred on the 12
premises but for the false report. 13
11-11-11. Bail and pretrial release. 14
(a) In all cases in which a defendant is charged with communication of a threat or false 15
report in violation of ยงยง 11-11-9 or 11-11-10, the court shall direct the department of probation to 16
provide a report about the defendant outlining their criminal history, community ties, work history, 17
psychological history, if available, and any other relevant information the court may consider in 18
setting conditions of release. 19
(b) Upon a determination that immediate release would pose a danger to the community or 20
injury to any person, including the defendant, the court may order the defendant remain in custody 21
for a reasonable period of time, but in no event longer than forty-eight (48) hours, until reasonable 22
release conditions, that would keep the community safe, are imposed. The court may impose any 23
reasonable conditions or court order including, but not limited to: 24
(1) An extreme risk protection order pursuant to the provisions of chapter 8.3 of title 8; 25
(2) A no trespass order for any educational or religious institution; 26
(3) A mental health assessment; and/or 27
(4) Substance abuse counseling. 28
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 29
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISORDERLY CONDUCT
***
This act would make threats of mass violence and false reports of threats to any educational, 1
religious institution, social, civic or fraternal associations a misdemeanor and would allow the court 2
to set reasonable conditions of release of the defendant in order to ensure the safety of the 3
community. 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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LC001154
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