Title 12
Criminal Procedure

Chapter 28
Victim’s Rights

R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-28-13

§ 12-28-13. Victim’s economic security and safety.

(a) Every employer in the state, with fifty (50) or more employees, shall allow an employee who is a victim of a crime to leave work to attend court proceedings related to the crime.

(b) An employer may not dismiss an employee who is a victim of a crime because the employee exercises the right to leave work pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(c) An employer is not required to compensate an employee who is a victim of a crime when the employee leaves work pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(d) If an employee leaves work pursuant to subsection (a) of this section the employee may elect to use or an employer may require the employee to use the employee’s accrued paid vacation, personal leave or sick leave.

(e) An employee who is a victim of a crime shall not lose seniority or precedence while absent from employment pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(f) Before an employee may leave work pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the employee shall provide the employer with a copy of notification of court proceedings provided pursuant to § 12-28-3.

(g) An employer may limit the leave provided under this section if the employee’s leave creates an undue hardship to the employer’s business.

History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 32, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 180, § 1.