2021 -- H 5942

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LC000403

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Ranglin-Vassell, Kislak, Ajello, Fogarty, Alzate, Barros,
and Henries

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2021

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 11-47-60 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-47-60. Possession of firearms on school grounds.

     (a)(1) No person shall have in his or her possession any firearm or other weapons on school

grounds.

     (2) For the purposes of this section, "school grounds" means the property of a public or

private elementary or secondary school or in those portions of any building, stadium, or other

structure on school grounds which were, at the time of the violation, being used for an activity

sponsored by or through a school in this state or while riding school provided transportation.

     (3) Every person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be

sentenced to imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five (5) years, or shall be fined

not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).

     (4) Any juvenile adjudicated delinquent pursuant to this statute shall, in addition to

whatever other penalties are imposed by the family court, lose his or her license to operate a motor

vehicle for up to six (6) months. If the juvenile has not yet obtained the necessary age to obtain a

license, the court may impose as part of its sentence a delay in his or her right to obtain the license

when eligible to do so, for a period of up to six (6) months.

     (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person who shall be exempt

pursuant to the provisions of §§ 11-47-9, 11-47-11, and 11-47-18 or to the following activities

when the activities are officially recognized and sanctioned by the educational institution:

     (1) Firearm instruction and/or safety courses;

     (2) Government-sponsored military-related programs such as ROTC;

     (3) Interscholastic shooting and/or marksmanship events;

     (4) Military history and firearms collection courses and/or programs; and

     (5) The use of blank guns in theatrical and/or athletic events.

     (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to colleges, universities, or junior colleges.

     (d) No school district or department shall offer any employment incentive or bonus

including, but not limited to, a pay increase or promotion to any current or prospective teacher,

administrator or other school employee on the condition that the employee either be, or become,

exempt to the provisions of this section by way of § 11-47-11 or as otherwise permitted by law.

     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 CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

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     This act would prohibit schools from offering employment incentives or bonuses to

teachers on the condition that the teacher either is or becomes licensed to carry a weapon.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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