It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 17-14-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-14 entitled "Nomination of Party and Independent Candidates" is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-14-4. Preparation of nomination papers for candidates -- Combination of endorsed candidates -- Furnishing of nomination papers to candidates. -- (a) Upon receipt of the declarations referred to in section 17-14-1 within two (2) business days of the final date for filing endorsements, the secretary of state for statewide candidates and the local board for general assembly and local candidates shall prepare nomination papers for each person who has filed a declaration of candidacy as provided in section 17-14-1. A minimum of three (3) sets of nomination papers shall be prepared for each candidate whose name appears on nomination papers containing the name of a candidate for general assembly and for local office. Nomination papers for voters from the city of Providence for the offices enumerated in section 17-14-1 shall be furnished by the secretary of state. Nomination papers shall be prepared with the name of the candidate as it appears on the voting list, notwithstanding that the candidate may have signed his or her declaration of candidacy other than as the candidate's name appears on the voting list. Candidates for nomination for different offices endorsed by the appropriate committee on any party shall be combined on the same nomination papers. The names of candidates for different offices not endorsed by the appropriate committee of any party shall not be combined on the same nomination papers. Combined nNomination papers for endorsed candidates for general assembly and their respective committees shall be furnished by the local board of the general assembly candidate. Nomination papers shall be furnished to the local boards by the secretary of state and each shall bear the imprint of the state coat of arms and any additional language required by law. Nomination papers shall be appropriately marked or color coded to indicate the different political parties, the endorsed and unendorsed candidates of those parties, and independent candidates.

(b) General assembly and local candidates for nomination may, at their own expense, have nomination papers duplicated. The signatures obtained on the duplicated nomination papers shall be considered valid if and only if, prior to any signatures being affixed, the duplicated nomination papers have been time stamped by the secretary of state or local board of canvassers which issued the original nomination papers.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.