2019 -- H 5491

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LC001426

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINALS -- CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Shanley, Knight, Casimiro, Barros, and Blazejewski

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2019

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 13-6-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 13-6 entitled "Loss of

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Rights by Prisoners" is hereby repealed.

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     13-6-1. Life prisoners deemed civilly dead.

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     Every person imprisoned in the adult correctional institutions for life shall, with respect

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to all rights of property, to the bond of matrimony and to all civil rights and relations of any

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nature whatsoever, be deemed to be dead in all respects, as if his or her natural death had taken

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place at the time of conviction. However, the bond of matrimony shall not be dissolved, nor shall

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the rights to property or other rights of the husband or wife of the imprisoned person be

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terminated or impaired, except on the entry of a lawfully obtained decree for divorce.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINALS -- CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

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     This act would repeal the provision of the general laws declaring prisoners serving a life

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sentence civilly dead.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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