2013 -- S 0199

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LC00441

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- CHILDREN

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Metts, Goodwin, Goldin, and Nesselbush

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 11-9-13.7 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-9 entitled "Children"

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is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     11-9-13.7. Signs concerning sales to individuals under age eighteen (18). -- Signs

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provided by the department of mental health, retardation and hospitals behavioral healthcare,

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developmental disabilities and hospitals, or an exact duplicate of it made privately, shall:

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     (1) Contain in red bold lettering a minimum of three-eighths ( 3/8") inch high on a white

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background the following wording in both English and Spanish:

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     THE SALE OF CIGARETTES AND OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO PERSONS

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UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IS AGAINST RHODE ISLAND LAW (Section 11-9-13.8(1), Rhode

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Island General Laws) PHOTO ID FOR PROOF OF AGE IS REQUIRED FOR PURCHASE.

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     (2) Contain the phone number at the department of mental health, retardation and

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hospitals behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, where violations of

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sections 11-9-13.2 -- 11-9-13.19 can be reported, in addition to any other information required by

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the department of mental health, retardation and hospitals behavioral healthcare, developmental

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disabilities and hospitals.

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     (3) Be displayed prominently for public view wherever tobacco products are sold at each

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cash register, each tobacco vending machine, or any other place from which tobacco products are

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sold. The signs shall be electronically available in both English and Spanish online at the

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department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals’ website.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 11-9 of the General Laws entitled "Children" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following section:

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     11-9-13.8.1. Signs concerning the health effects of tobacco. – Signs provided by the

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department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, or an exact

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duplicate of it made privately, shall:

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     (1) Contain red bold lettering a minimum of one-quarters of an inch (1/4?) high on a

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white background the following wording, in both English and Spanish: WARNING: SMOKING

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CIGARETTES CONTRIBUTES TO LUNG DISEASE, CANCER, HEART DISEASE,

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STROKE AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESS AND DURING PREGNANCY MAY RESULT IN

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LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND PREMATURE BIRTH.

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     (2) The signs shall also include information regarding resources available to Rhode Island

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residents who would like to quit smoking.

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     (3) The signs shall be displayed prominently for public view wherever tobacco products

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are sold at each cash register, each tobacco vending machine, or any other place from which

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tobacco products are sold. The signs shall be electronically available in both English and Spanish

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online at the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals’

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website.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

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LC00441

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- CHILDREN

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     This act would require that signs provided by the department of behavioral healthcare,

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developmental disabilities and hospitals providing warnings about the health effects of tobacco,

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and information on smoking cessation resources be prominently displayed in both English and

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Spanish.

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     This act would take effect on July 1, 2013.

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LC00441

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