2012 -- S 2294

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LC01045

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - IMMIGRANT ASSISTANCE IN CRIME

FIGHTING

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Metts, Jabour, Crowley, and Nesselbush

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 12 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL PROCEDURE" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 32

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IMMIGRANT ASSISTANCE IN CRIME FIGHTING ACT

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     12-32-1. Short title. – This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Immigrant

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Assistance in Crime Fighting Act”

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     12-32-2. Legislative findings. – (a) The general assembly hereby finds that the

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cooperation of all members of the community, regardless of immigration status, is essential to law

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enforcement; and

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     (b) Currently, both documented and undocumented immigrants are less likely to report

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violations of state and local law because of the fear that complainants and witnesses may be

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harassed by federal immigration authorities.

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     12-32-3. Purpose. – This chapter is intended to promote the safety and health of all

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residents by making it more likely that immigrants will report violations of state and local law.

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     12-32-4. Definitions. – (a) “Immigration status” means questions relating to an

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individual’s status in regard to United States citizenship, citizenship of any other country, legal

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right to reside or otherwise be present in the United States, and the time and manner of a person’s

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entry into the United States.

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     (b) “Local government” means the government of cities, municipalities, counties and all

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other subdivisions of government throughout the state.

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     12-32-5. Protection of immigrant complainants and witnesses. – (a) No law

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enforcement or other agent of state or local government shall inquire into the immigration status

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of any person who complains of, or is a witness to, a violation of state or local law.

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     (b) No law enforcement or other agent of state or local government shall ask a

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complainant or witness for their social security number or other information that might disclose a

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complainant or witnesses’ immigration status.

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     (c) During the course of any court proceedings, the state or local government shall

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oppose efforts of any party to discover a complainant’s or witness’s immigration status, and shall

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seek a protective order or other similar relief.

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     (d) If an agent of state or local government must know a complainant’s immigration

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status for a legitimate law enforcement reason, the agent shall keep that status confidential and

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not disclose that information to third parties, including to other government agents, unless

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required by federal law.

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     (e) Law enforcement officers may inquire into the immigration status of a person when

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an officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person:

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     (1) Has been convicted of a felony criminal law violation:

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     (2) The person was deported or left the United States after the conviction; and

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     (3) The person is again present in the United States.

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     (f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent government agents from knowing

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a person’s immigration status, or viewing a document that might provide evidence of a person’s

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immigration status, as long as the person volunteered the information or document to the

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government agent.

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     12-32-6. Training of law enforcement and other government agents. – (a) The state

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and each local government shall train its law enforcement and other government agents to

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understand and comply with the provisions of this section.

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     (b) The state and local government shall work closely with organizations that serve

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immigrant communities in the design of this training.

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     (c) The state and local government shall make reasonable efforts to work with

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community-based organizations in order to educate the immigrant community about this policy.

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     12-32-7. Preempted and superseding law. – (a) The provisions of this chapter shall not

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apply to a circumstance where an inquiry into immigration status is required under federal law.

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     (b) The provisions of this chapter shall supersede all conflicting state and local statutes,

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ordinances, rules, policies and practices.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2012.

     

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LC01045

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - IMMIGRANT ASSISTANCE IN CRIME

FIGHTING

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     This act would establish the “Immigrant Assistance in Crime Fighting Act” to promote

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the safety and health of all residents by making it more likely that immigrants would report

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violations of state and local law and by prohibiting law enforcement or other government agents

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from inquiring as to a complainant’s or witness’s legal status in this country.

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     This act would take effect on July 1, 2012.

     

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LC01045

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S2294