| Chapter 070 |
| 2018 -- H 8350 Enacted 06/28/2018 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO THE ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2019 |
| Introduced By: Representative Marvin L. Abney |
| Date Introduced: June 22, 2018 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Section 42-61-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-61 entitled "State |
| Lottery" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
| 42-61-4. Powers and duties of director. |
| The director shall have the power and it shall be his or her duty to: |
| (1) Supervise and administer the operation of lotteries in accordance with this chapter, |
| chapter 61.2 of this title and with the rules and regulations of the division; |
| (2) Act as the chief administrative officer having general charge of the office and records |
| and to employ necessary personnel to serve at his or her pleasure and who shall be in the |
| unclassified service and whose salaries shall be set by the director of the department of revenue, |
| pursuant to the provisions of § 42-61-3.; |
| (3) In accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the division, license |
| as agents to sell lottery tickets those persons, as in his or her opinion, who will best serve the |
| public convenience and promote the sale of tickets or shares. The director may require a bond |
| from every licensed agent, in an amount provided in the rules and regulations of the division. |
| Every licensed agent shall prominently display his or her license, or a copy of their his or her |
| license, as provided in the rules and regulations of the committee; |
| (4) Confer regularly as necessary or desirable, and not less than nine (9) times per year, |
| with the permanent joint committee on state lottery on the operation and administration of the |
| lotteries; make available for inspection by the committee, upon request, all books, records, files, |
| and other information, and documents of the division; advise the committee and recommend |
| those matters that he or she deems necessary and advisable to improve the operation and |
| administration of the lotteries; |
| (5) Suspend or revoke any license issued pursuant to this chapter, chapter 61.2 of this title |
| or the rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter and chapter 61.2 of this title; |
| (6) Enter into contracts for the operation of the lotteries, or any part of the operation of |
| the lotteries, and into contracts for the promotion of the lotteries; |
| (7) Ensure that monthly financial reports are prepared providing gross monthly revenues, |
| prize disbursements, other expenses, net income, and the amount transferred to the state general |
| fund for keno and for all other lottery operations; submit this report to the state budget officer, the |
| auditor general, the permanent joint committee on state lottery, the legislative fiscal advisors, and |
| the governor no later than the twentieth business day following the close of the month; the |
| monthly report shall be prepared in a manner prescribed by the members of the revenues revenue |
| estimating conference; at the end of each fiscal year the director shall submit an annual report |
| based upon an accrual system of accounting which that shall include a full and complete |
| statement of lottery revenues, prize disbursements, and expenses, to the governor and the general |
| assembly, which report shall be a public document and shall be filed with the secretary of state; |
| (8) Carry on a continuous study and investigation of the state lotteries throughout the |
| state, and the operation and administration of similar laws, which may be in effect in other states |
| or countries; and the director shall continue to exercise his or her authority to study, evaluate, |
| and where deemed feasible and advisable by the director, implement lottery-related initiatives, |
| including but not limited to, pilot programs for limited periods of time, with the goal of |
| generating additional revenues to be transferred by the Lottery lottery to the general fund |
| pursuant to § 42-61-15(a)(3). Each such initiative shall be objectively evaluated from time to time |
| using measurable criteria to determine whether the initiative is generating revenue to be |
| transferred by the Lottery lottery to the general fund. Nothing herein shall be deemed to permit |
| the implementation of an initiative that would be inconsistent with existing law or that would |
| constitute an expansion of gambling requiring voter approval under applicable Rhode Island law.; |
| (9) Implement the creation and sale of commercial advertising space on lottery tickets as |
| authorized by § 42-61-4 of this chapter this section as soon as practicable after June 22, 1994; |
| (10) Promulgate rules and regulations, which shall include, but not be limited to: |
| (i) The price of tickets or shares in the lotteries; |
| (ii) The number and size of the prizes on the winning tickets or shares; |
| (iii) The manner of selecting the winning tickets or shares; |
| (iv) The manner of payment of prizes to the holders of winning tickets or shares; |
| (v) The frequency of the drawings or selections of winning tickets or shares; |
| (vi) The number and types of location locations at which tickets or shares may be sold; |
| (vii) The method to be used in selling tickets or shares; |
| (viii) The licensing of agents to sell tickets or shares, except that a person under the age |
| of eighteen (18) shall not be licensed as an agent; |
| (ix) The license fee to be charged to agents; |
| (x) The manner in which the proceeds of the sale of lottery tickets or shares are |
| maintained, reported, and otherwise accounted for; |
| (xi) The manner and amount of compensation to be paid licensed sales agents necessary |
| to provide for the adequate availability of tickets or shares to prospective buyers and for the |
| convenience of the general public; |
| (xii) The apportionment of the total annual revenue accruing from the sale of lottery |
| tickets or shares and from all other sources for the payment of prizes to the holders of winning |
| tickets or shares, for the payment of costs incurred in the operation and administration of the |
| lotteries, including the expense of the division and the costs resulting from any contract or |
| contracts entered into for promotional, advertising, consulting, or operational services or for the |
| purchase or lease of facilities, lottery equipment, and materials, for the repayment of moneys |
| appropriated to the lottery fund; |
| (xiii) The superior court upon petition of the director after a hearing may issue subpoenas |
| to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, papers, books, records, |
| and other evidence in any matter over which it has jurisdiction, control, or supervision. If a |
| person subpoenaed to attend in the proceeding or hearing fails to obey the command of the |
| subpoena without reasonable cause, or if a person in attendance in the proceeding or hearing |
| refuses without lawful cause to be examined or to answer a legal or pertinent question or to |
| exhibit any book, account, record, or other document when ordered to do so by the court, that |
| person may be punished for contempt of the court; |
| (xiv) The manner, standards, and specification for the process of competitive bidding for |
| division purchases and contracts; and |
| (xv) The sale of commercial advertising space on the reverse side of, or in other available |
| areas upon, lottery tickets provided that all net revenue derived from the sale of the advertising |
| space shall be deposited immediately into the state's general fund and shall not be subject to the |
| provisions of § 42-61-15. |
| SECTION 2. Sections 42-61.2-1, 42-61.2.4 and 42-61.2-3.3 of the General Laws in |
| Chapter 42-61.2 entitled "Video-Lottery Games, Table Games and Sports Wagering" are hereby |
| amended to read as follows: |
| 42-61.2-1. Definitions. |
| For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall mean: |
| (1)(2) "Central communication system" means a system approved by the lottery division, |
| linking all video-lottery machines at a licensee location to provide auditing program information |
| and any other information determined by the lottery. In addition, the central communications |
| system must provide all computer hardware and related software necessary for the establishment |
| and implementation of a comprehensive system as required by the division. The central |
| communications licensee may provide a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the video-lottery |
| terminals. |
| (2)(9) "Licensed, video-lottery retailer" means a pari-mutuel licensee specifically |
| licensed by the director subject to the approval of the division to become a licensed, video-lottery |
| retailer. |
| (3)(11) "Net terminal income" means currency placed into a video-lottery terminal less |
| credits redeemed for cash by players. |
| (4)(15) "Pari-mutuel licensee" means: |
| (i) An entity licensed pursuant to § 41-3.1-3; and/or |
| (ii) An entity licensed pursuant to § 41-7-3. |
| (5)(26) "Technology provider" means any individual, partnership, corporation, or |
| association that designs, manufactures, installs, maintains, distributes, or supplies video-lottery |
| machines or associated equipment for the sale or use in this state. |
| (6)(30) "Video-lottery games" means lottery games played on video-lottery terminals |
| controlled by the lottery division. |
| (7)(31) "Video-lottery terminal" means any electronic computerized video game machine |
| that, upon the insertion of cash or any other representation of value that has been approved by the |
| division of lotteries, is available to play a video game authorized by the lottery division, and that |
| uses a video display and microprocessors in which, by chance, the player may receive free games |
| or credits that can be redeemed for cash. The term does not include a machine that directly |
| dispenses coins, cash, or tokens. |
| (8)(1) "Casino gaming" means any and all table and casino-style games played with |
| cards, dice, or equipment, for money, credit, or any representative of value; including, but not |
| limited to, roulette, blackjack, big six, craps, poker, baccarat, paigow, any banking or percentage |
| game, or any other game of device included within the definition of Class III gaming as that term |
| is defined in Section 2703(8) of Title 25 of the United States Code and that is approved by the |
| state through the division of state lottery. |
| (9)(10) "Net, table-game revenue" means win from table games minus counterfeit |
| currency. |
| (10)(18) "Rake" means a set fee or percentage of cash and chips representing cash |
| wagered in the playing of a nonbanking table game assessed by a table games retailer for |
| providing the services of a dealer, gaming table, or location, to allow the play of any nonbanking |
| table game. |
| (11)(24) "Table game" or "Table gaming" means that type of casino gaming in which |
| table games are played for cash or chips representing cash, or any other representation of value |
| that has been approved by the division of lotteries, using cards, dice, or equipment and conducted |
| by one or more live persons. |
| (12)(25) "Table-game retailer" means a retailer authorized to conduct table gaming |
| pursuant to §§ 42-61.2-2.1 or 42-61.2-2.3. |
| (13)(4) "Credit facilitator" means any employee of a licensed, video-lottery retailer |
| approved in writing by the division whose responsibility is to, among other things, review |
| applications for credit by players, verify information on credit applications, grant, deny, and |
| suspend credit, establish credit limits, increase and decrease credit limits, and maintain credit |
| files, all in accordance with this chapter and rules and regulations approved by the division. |
| (14)(12) "Newport Grand" means Newport Grand, LLC, a Rhode Island limited-liability |
| company, successor to Newport Grand Jai Alai, LLC, and each permitted successor to and |
| assignee of Newport Grand, LLC under the Newport Grand Master Contract, including, but not |
| limited to, Premier Entertainment II, LLC and/or Twin River-Tiverton, LLC, provided it is a pari- |
| mutuel licensee as defined in § 42-61.2-1 et seq.; provided, further, however, where the context |
| indicates that the term is referring to the physical facility, then it shall mean the gaming and |
| entertainment facility located at 150 Admiral Kalbfus Road, Newport, Rhode Island. |
| (15)(13) "Newport Grand Marketing Year" means each fiscal year of the state or a |
| portion thereof between November 23, 2010, and the termination date of the Newport Grand |
| Master Contract. |
| (16)(14) "Newport Grand Master Contract" means that certain master video-lottery |
| terminal contract made as of November 23, 2005, by and between the Division division of |
| Lotteries lotteries of the Rhode Island department of administration and Newport Grand, as |
| amended and extended from time to time as authorized therein and/or as such Newport Grand |
| Master Contract may be assigned as permitted therein. |
| (17) "Premier" means Premier Entertainment II, LLC and/or its successor in interest by |
| reason of the acquisition of the stock, membership interests, or substantially all of the assets of |
| such entity. |
| (18)(29) "Twin River-Tiverton" means Twin River-Tiverton, LLC and/or its successor in |
| interest by reason of the acquisition of the stock, membership interests, or substantially all of the |
| assets of such entity. |
| (19)(22) "Sports-wagering revenue" means: |
| (1) The total of cash or cash equivalents received from sports wagering minus the total |
| of: |
| (i) Cash or cash equivalents paid to players as a result of sports wagering; |
| (ii) The annual flat fee to the host communities as defined by § 42-61.2-2.4(c) § 42-61.2- |
| 5(c) of the general laws; |
| (iii) Marketing expenses related to sports wagering as agreed to by the division, the |
| sports-wagering vendor, and the host facilities, as approved by the division of the lottery; and |
| (iv) Any federal excise taxes (if applicable). |
| (2) The term does not include any of the following: |
| (i) Counterfeit cash. |
| (ii) Coins or currency of other countries received as a result of sports wagering, except to |
| the extent that the coins or currency are readily convertible to cash. |
| (iii) Cash taken in a fraudulent act perpetrated against a hosting facility or sports- |
| wagering vendor for which the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor is not reimbursed. |
| (iv) Free play provided by the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor as authorized by |
| the division of lottery to a patron and subsequently "won back" by the hosting facility or sports- |
| wagering vendor, for which the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor can demonstrate that it |
| or its affiliate has not been reimbursed in cash. |
| (20)(19) "Sporting event" means any professional sport or athletic event, any Olympic or |
| international sports competition event, and any collegiate sport or athletic event, or any portion |
| thereof, including, but not limited to, the individual performance statistics of athletes in a sports |
| event or combination of sports events, except "sports event" shall not include a prohibited sports |
| event. |
| (21)(3) "Collegiate sports or athletic event" shall not include a collegiate sports contest |
| or collegiate athletic event that takes place in Rhode Island or a sports contest or athletic event in |
| which any Rhode Island college team participates regardless of where the event takes place. |
| (22)(20) "Sports wagering" means the business of accepting wagers on sporting events or |
| a combination of sporting events, or on the individual performance statistics of athletes in a |
| sporting event or combination of sporting events, by any system or method of wagering. The term |
| includes, but is not limited to, exchange wagering, parlays, over-under, moneyline, pools, and |
| straight bets, and the term includes the placement of such bets and wagers. However, the term |
| does not include, without limitation, the following: |
| (1) Lotteries, including video-lottery games and other types of casino gaming operated by |
| the state, through the division, on the date this act is enacted. |
| (2) Pari-mutuel betting on the outcome of thoroughbred or harness horse racing, or |
| greyhound dog racing, including but not limited to, pari-mutuel wagering on a race that is |
| "simulcast" (as defined in section § 41-11-1 of the general laws), as regulated elsewhere pursuant |
| to the general laws, including in chapters 41-3, 41-3.1, 41-4 and 41-11 of the general laws 3, 3.1, |
| 4, and 11 of title 41. |
| (3) Off-track betting on racing events, as regulated elsewhere pursuant to the general |
| laws, including in chapter 41-10 of the general laws 10 of title 41. |
| (4) Wagering on the respective scores or points of the game of jai alai or pelota and the |
| sale of pari-mutuel pools related to such games, as regulated elsewhere pursuant to the general |
| laws, including in chapter 41-7 of the general laws 7 of title 41. |
| (5) Lotteries, charitable gaming, games of chance, bingo games, raffles, and pull-tab |
| lottery tickets, to the extent permitted and regulated pursuant to chapter 11-19 of the general laws |
| 19 of title 11. |
| (23)(21) "Sports-wagering device" means any mechanical, electrical, or computerized |
| contrivance, terminal, machine, or other device, apparatus, equipment, or supplies approved by |
| the division and used to conduct sports wagering. |
| (24)(23) "Sports-wagering vendor" means any entity authorized by the division of lottery |
| to operate sports betting on the division’s behalf in accordance with this chapter. |
| (25)(16) "Payoff", when used in connection with sports wagering, means cash or cash |
| equivalents paid to a player as a result of the player’s winning a sports wager. A "payoff" is a |
| type of "prize," as the term "prize" is used in chapter 42-61, chapter 42-61.2 and in chapter 42- |
| 61.3 chapters 61, 61.2, and 61.3 of this title. |
| (26)(27) "Tiverton gaming facility" (sometimes referred to as "Twin River–Tiverton") |
| means the gaming and entertainment facility located in the Town town of Tiverton at the |
| intersection of William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road. |
| (27)(28) "Twin River" (sometimes referred to as "UTGR") means UTGR, Inc., a |
| Delaware corporation, and each permitted successor to and assignee of UTGR, Inc.; provided |
| further, however, where the context indicates that the term is referring to a physical facility, then |
| "Twin River" or "Twin River gaming facility" shall mean the gaming and entertainment facility |
| located at 100 Twin River Road in Lincoln, Rhode Island. |
| (28)(8) "Hosting facility" refers to Twin River and the Tiverton gaming facility. |
| (29)(5) "DBR" means the department of business regulation, division of licensing and |
| gaming and athletics gaming and athletics licensing, and/or any successor in interest thereto. |
| (30)(7) "Division,", "division of lottery,", "division of lotteries", or "lottery division" |
| means the division of lotteries within the department of revenue and/or any successor in interest |
| thereto. |
| (31)(6) "Director" means the director of the division. |
| 42-61.2-2.4. State to conduct sports-wagering hosted by Twin River and the |
| Tiverton Gaming Facility. |
| (a) The state, through the division of lotteries, shall implement, operate, conduct, and |
| control sports wagering at the Twin River gaming facility and the Twin River-Tiverton gaming |
| facility, once Twin River-Tiverton is licensed as a video-lottery and table-game retailer. In |
| furtherance thereof, the state, through the division, shall have full operational control to operate |
| such the sports wagering, including, without limitation, the power and authority to: |
| (1) Establish, with respect to sports wagering, one or more systems for linking, tracking, |
| depositing, and reporting of receipts, audits, annual reports, prohibited conduct, and other such |
| matters determined by the division from time to time; |
| (2) Collect all sports-wagering revenue indirectly through Twin River and Tiverton |
| gaming facilities, require that the Twin River and Tiverton gaming facilities collect all sports- |
| wagering revenue in trust for the state (through the division), deposit such sports-wagering |
| revenue into an account or accounts of the division’s choice, allocate such sports-wagering |
| revenue according to law, and otherwise maintain custody and control over all sports-wagering |
| revenue; |
| (3) Hold and exercise sufficient powers over the Twin River and Tiverton gaming |
| facilities’ accounting and finances to allow for adequate oversight and verification of the financial |
| aspects of sports wagering hosted at their respective facilities in Lincoln and Tiverton, including, |
| without limitation: |
| (i) The right to require the Twin River and Tiverton gaming facilities to maintain an |
| annual balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and any other necessary information or reports; |
| (ii) The authority and power to conduct periodic compliance or special or focused audits |
| of the information or reports provided, as well as the premises within the facilities containing |
| records of sports wagering or in which the sports-wagering activities are conducted; and |
| (4) Monitor the sports-wagering operations hosted by the Twin River and Tiverton |
| gaming facilities and have the power to terminate or suspend any sports-wagering activities in the |
| event of an integrity concern or other threat to the public trust, and in furtherance thereof, require |
| Twin River and Tiverton, respectively, to provide a specified area or areas from which to conduct |
| such monitoring activities; |
| (5) Through the use of a sports-wagering vendor, define and limit the rules of play and |
| odds of authorized sports-wagering games, including, without limitation, the minimum and |
| maximum wagers for each sports-wagering game. Sports-wagering payoffs shall not be subject to |
| any limitation or restriction related to sports-wagering revenue or lottery revenue. |
| (6) Establish compulsive gambling treatment programs; |
| (7) Promulgate, or propose for promulgation, any legislative, interpretive, and procedural |
| rules necessary for the successful implementation, administration, and enforcement of this |
| chapter; and |
| (8) Hold all other powers necessary and proper to fully effectively execute and administer |
| the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of allowing the state to operate sports wagering |
| hosted by the Twin River and Tiverton gaming facilities. |
| (b) The state, through the division and/or the DBR, shall have approval rights over |
| matters relating to the employment of individuals to be involved, directly or indirectly, with the |
| operation of sports wagering at the Twin River and Tiverton gaming facilities.; |
| (c) Nothing in this chapter 42-61.2 or elsewhere in the general laws shall be construed to |
| create a separate license governing the hosting of sports wagering in Rhode Island by licensed |
| video-lottery and table-game retailers. |
| (d) The state, through the division, shall have authority to issue such regulations as it |
| deems appropriate pertaining to the control, operation, and management of sports wagering. The |
| state, through DBR, shall have authority to issue such regulations as it deems appropriate |
| pertaining to the employment of individuals to be involved, directly or indirectly, with the |
| operations of sports wagering as set forth in subsection (b) of this section. |
| (e) Any list or other identifiable data of sports-wagering players generated or maintained |
| by the sports-wagering vendor or the hosting facility as a result of sports wagering shall be the |
| exclusive property of the division, provided that the hosting facilities shall be permitted to use |
| any such list or other identifiable data for marketing purposes to the extent it currently uses |
| similar data, and, as approved by the division and for other marketing purposes to directly or |
| indirectly generate additional gaming revenue, as approved by the division. |
| 42-61.2-3.3. Sports wagering regulation. |
| (a) In addition to the powers and duties of the division director under §§ 42-61-4, 42- |
| 61.2-3, 42-61.2-4 and 42-61.2-3.1, and pursuant to § 42-61.2-2.4, the division director shall |
| promulgate rules and regulations relating to sports wagering and set policy therefor. These rules |
| and regulations shall establish standards and procedures for sports waging wagering and |
| associated devices, equipment, and accessories, and shall include, but not be limited to: |
| (1) Approve standards, rules, and regulations to govern the conduct of sports wagering |
| and the system of wagering associated with sports wagering, including without limitation: |
| (i) The objects of the sports wagering (i.e., the sporting events upon which sports- |
| wagering bets may be accepted) and methods of play, including what constitutes win, loss, or tie |
| bets; |
| (ii) The manner in which sports-wagering bets are received, payoffs are remitted, and |
| point spreads, lines, and odds are determined for each type of available sports wagering bet; |
| (iii) Physical characteristics of any devices, equipment, and accessories related to sports |
| wagering; |
| (iv) The applicable inspection procedures for any devices, equipment, and accessories |
| related to sports wagering; |
| (v) Procedures for the collection of bets and payoffs, including but not limited to, |
| requirements for internal revenue service purposes; |
| (vi) Procedures for handling suspected cheating and sports-wagering irregularities; and |
| (vii) Procedures for handling any defective or malfunctioning devices, equipment, and |
| accessories related to sports wagering. |
| (2) Establishing the method for calculating sports-wagering revenue and standards for the |
| daily counting and recording of cash and cash equivalents received in the conduct of sports |
| wagering, and ensuring that internal controls are followed and financial books and records are |
| maintained and audits are conducted; |
| (3) Establishing the number and type of sports-wagering bets authorized at the hosting |
| facility, including any new sports-wagering bets or variations or composites of approved sports- |
| wagering bets, and all rules related thereto; |
| (4) Establishing any sports-wagering rule changes, sports-wagering minimum and |
| maximum bet changes, and changes to the types of sports-wagering products offered at a |
| particular hosting facility, including but not limited to, any new sports-wagering bets or variations |
| or composites of approved sports-wagering bets, and including all rules related thereto; |
| (5) Requiring the hosting facility and/or sports-wagering vendor to: |
| (i) Provide written information at each sports-wagering location within the hosting |
| facility about wagering rules, payoffs on winning sports wagers, and other information as the |
| division may require.; |
| (ii) Provide specifications approved by the division to integrate and update the hosting |
| facility’s surveillance system to cover all areas within the hosting facility where sports wagering |
| is conducted and other areas as required by the division. The specifications shall include |
| provisions providing the division and other persons authorized by the division with onsite access |
| to the system.; |
| (iii) Designate one or more locations within the hosting facility where sports-wagering |
| bets are received.; |
| (iv) Ensure that visibility in a hosting facility is not obstructed in any way that could |
| interfere with the ability of the division, the sports wagering vendor hosting facility, or other |
| persons authorized under this section or by the division to oversee the surveillance of the conduct |
| of sports wagering.; |
| (v) Ensure that the count rooms for sports wagering has have appropriate security for the |
| counting and storage of cash.; |
| (vi) Ensure that drop boxes are brought into or removed from an area where sports |
| wagering is conducted or locked or unlocked in accordance with procedures established by the |
| division.; |
| (vii) Designate secure locations for the inspection, service, repair, or storage of sports- |
| wagering equipment and for employee training and instruction to be approved by the division.; |
| (vii)(viii) Establish standards prohibiting persons under eighteen (18) years of age from |
| participating in sports wagering.; |
| (ix) Establish compulsive and problem gambling standards and/or programs pertaining to |
| sports wagering consistent with general laws chapter 42-61. 2 this chapter. |
| (6) Establishing the minimal proficiency requirements for those individuals accepting |
| sports wagers and administering payoffs on winning sports wagers. The foregoing requirements |
| of this subsection may be in addition to any rules or regulations of the DBR requiring licensing of |
| personnel of state-operated gaming facilities; |
| (7) Establish appropriate eligibility requirements and standards for traditional sports- |
| wagering equipment suppliers; and |
| (8) Any other matters necessary for conducting sports wagering. |
| (b) The hosting facility shall provide secure, segregated facilities as required by the |
| division on the premises for the exclusive use of the division staff and the gaming enforcement |
| unit of the state police. Such The space shall be located proximate to the gaming floor and shall |
| include surveillance equipment, monitors with full camera control capability, as well as other |
| office equipment that may be deemed necessary by the division. The location and size of the |
| space and necessary equipment shall be subject to the approval of the division. |
| SECTION 3. Section 14-1-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 14-1 entitled "Proceedings |
| in Family Court" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
| 14-1-6. Retention of jurisdiction. |
| (a) When the court shall have obtained jurisdiction over any child prior to the child |
| having attained the age of eighteen (18) years by the filing of a petition alleging that the child is |
| wayward or delinquent pursuant to § 14-1-5, the child shall, except as specifically provided in |
| this chapter, continue under the jurisdiction of the court until he or she becomes nineteen (19) |
| years of age, unless discharged prior to turning nineteen (19). |
| (b) When the court shall have obtained jurisdiction over any child prior to the child's |
| eighteenth (18th) birthday by the filing of a miscellaneous petition or a petition alleging that the |
| child is dependent, neglected, or abused pursuant to §§ 14-1-5 and 40-11-7 or 42-72-14, the child |
| shall, except as specifically provided in this chapter, continue under the jurisdiction of the court |
| until he or she becomes eighteen (18) years of age; provided, that at least six (6) months prior to a |
| child turning eighteen (18) years of age, the court shall require the department of children, youth |
| and families to provide a description of the transition services including the child's housing, |
| health insurance, education and/or employment plan, available mentors and continuing support |
| services, including workforce supports and employment services afforded the child in placement, |
| or a detailed explanation as to the reason those services were not offered. As part of the transition |
| planning, the child shall be informed by the department of the opportunity to voluntarily agree to |
| extended care and placement by the department and legal supervision by the court until age |
| twenty-one (21). The details of a child's transition plan shall be developed in consultation with |
| the child, wherever possible, and approved by the court prior to the dismissal of an abuse, neglect, |
| dependency, or miscellaneous petition before the child's twenty-first birthday. |
| (c) A child, who is in foster care on their eighteenth birthday due to the filing of a |
| miscellaneous petition or a petition alleging that the child is dependent, neglected, or abused |
| pursuant to §§14-1-5, 40-11-7 or 42-72-14, may voluntarily elect to continue responsibility for |
| care and placement from DCYF and to remain under the legal supervision of the court as a young |
| adult until age twenty-one (21), provided: |
| (1) The young adult was in the legal custody of the department at age eighteen (18); or |
| and |
| (2) The young adult is participating in at least one of the following: |
| (i) Completing the requirements to receive a high school diploma or GED; |
| (ii) Completing a secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential; |
| enrolled in an institution that provides post-secondary or vocational education; |
| (iii) Participating in a job-training program or an activity designed to promote or remove |
| barriers to employment; |
| (iv) Be employed for at least eighty (80) hours per month; or |
| (v) Incapable of doing any of the foregoing due to a medical condition that is regularly |
| updated and documented in the case plan;. |
| (d) A former foster child who was adopted or placed in guardianship with an adoption |
| assistance agreement or a guardianship assistance agreement that was executed on or after his or |
| her sixteenth birthday and prior to his or her eighteenth birthday may voluntarily agree to |
| extended care and placement by the department and legal supervision by the court until age |
| twenty-one (21) if the young adult satisfies the requirements in § 14-1-6(c)(2) subsection (c)(2). |
| Provided, however, the department retains the right to review the request and first attempt to |
| address the issues through the adoption assistance agreement by providing post adoptive or post |
| guardianship support services to the young adult and his or her adoptive or guardianship family. |
| (e) Upon the request of the young adult, who voluntarily agreed to the extension of care |
| and placement by the department and legal supervision by the court, pursuant to subsections (c) |
| and (d) of this section, the court's legal supervision and the department's responsibility for care |
| and placement may be terminated. Provided, however, the young adult may request reinstatement |
| of responsibility and resumption of the court's legal supervision at any time prior to their his or |
| her twenty-first birthday if the young adult meets the requirements set forth in §14-l-6(c)(3) |
| subsection (c)(2). If the department wishes to terminate the court's legal supervision and its |
| responsibility for care and placement, it may file a motion for good cause. The court may exercise |
| its discretion to terminate legal supervision over the young adult at any time. |
| (f) The court may retain jurisdiction of any child who is seriously emotionally disturbed |
| or developmentally delayed pursuant to § 42-72-5(b)(24)(v) until that child turns age twenty-one |
| (21) when the court shall have obtained jurisdiction over any child prior to the child's eighteenth |
| birthday by the filing of a miscellaneous petition or a petition alleging that the child is dependent, |
| neglected, and/or abused pursuant to §§ 14-1-5, and 40-11-7, or 42-72-14. |
| (g) The department of children, youth and families shall work collaboratively with the |
| department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, and other agencies, |
| in accordance with § 14-1-59, to provide the family court with a transition plan for those |
| individuals who come under the court's jurisdiction pursuant to a petition alleging that the child is |
| dependent, neglected, and/or abused and who are seriously emotionally disturbed or |
| developmentally delayed pursuant to § 42-72-5(b)(24)(v). This plan shall be a joint plan |
| presented to the court by the department of children, youth and families and the department of |
| behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals. The plan shall include the |
| behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals' community or residential service |
| level, health insurance option, education plan, available mentors, continuing support services, |
| workforce supports and employment services, and the plan shall be provided to the court at least |
| twelve (12) months prior to discharge. At least three (3) months prior to discharge, the plan shall |
| identify the specific placement for the child, if a residential placement is needed. The court shall |
| monitor the transition plan. In the instance where the department of behavioral healthcare, |
| developmental disabilities and hospitals has not made timely referrals to appropriate placements |
| and services, the department of children, youth and families may initiate referrals. |
| (h) The parent and/or guardian and/or guardian ad litem of a child who is seriously |
| emotionally disturbed or developmentally delayed pursuant to § 42-72-5(b)(24)(v), and who is |
| before the court pursuant to §§ 14-1-5(1)(iii) through 14-1-5(1)(v), 40-11-7 or 42-72-14, shall be |
| entitled to a transition hearing, as needed, when the child reaches the age of twenty (20) if no |
| appropriate transition plan has been submitted to the court by the department of children, youth |
| person and families and the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and |
| hospitals. The family court shall require that the department of behavioral healthcare, |
| developmental disabilities, and hospitals shall immediately identify a liaison to work with the |
| department of children, youth, and families until the child reaches the age of twenty-one (21) and |
| an immediate transition plan be submitted if the following facts are found: |
| (1) No suitable transition plan has been presented to the court addressing the levels of |
| service appropriate to meet the needs of the child as identifies by the department of behavioral |
| healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals: or |
| (2) No suitable housing options, health insurance, educational plan, available mentors, |
| continuing support services, workforce supports, and employment services have been identified |
| for the child. |
| (i) In any case where the court shall not have acquired jurisdiction over any person prior |
| to the person's eighteenth (18th) birthday by the filing of a petition alleging that the person had |
| committed an offense, but a petition alleging that the person had committed an offense that would |
| be punishable as a felony if committed by an adult has been filed before that person attains the |
| age of nineteen (19) years of age, that person shall, except as specifically provided in this chapter, |
| be subject to the jurisdiction of the court until he or she becomes nineteen (19) years of age, |
| unless discharged prior to turning nineteen (19). |
| (j) In any case where the court shall not have acquired jurisdiction over any person prior |
| to the person attaining the age of nineteen (19) years by the filing of a petition alleging that the |
| person had committed an offense prior to the person attaining the age of eighteen (18) years |
| which that would be punishable as a felony if committed by an adult, that person shall be referred |
| to the court that had jurisdiction over the offense if it had been committed by an adult. The court |
| shall have jurisdiction to try that person for the offense committed prior to the person attaining |
| the age of eighteen (18) years and, upon conviction, may impose a sentence not exceeding the |
| maximum penalty provided for the conviction of that offense. |
| (k) In any case where the court has certified and adjudicated a child in accordance with |
| the provisions of §§ 14-1-7.2 and 14-1-7.3, the jurisdiction of the court shall encompass the |
| power and authority to sentence the child to a period in excess of the age of nineteen (19) years. |
| However, in no case shall the sentence be in excess of the maximum penalty provided by statute |
| for the conviction of the offense. |
| (l) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the jurisdiction of other courts over |
| offenses committed by any person after he or she reaches the age of eighteen (18) years. |
| SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC005982 |
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