2024 -- H 7638

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LC004879

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINALS -- CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS -- STATE COMMISSION

ON PARDONS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Cruz, J. Lombardi, Place, Chippendale, Ajello,
Biah, Henries, McEntee, and Batista

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2024

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 13 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINALS — CORRECTIONAL

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INSTITUTIONS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 10.1

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STATE COMMISSION ON PARDONS

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     13-10.1-1. Commission established – Duties.

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     (a) There is hereby established a commission on pardons to administer the application

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process, consider applicants, and ultimately make recommendations to the governor regarding

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applicants seeking an executive pardon.

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     (b) The commission shall be responsible for promulgating rules and regulations necessary

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for developing an application process for residents seeking to request a pardon, such as:

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     (1) Eligibility standards;

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     (2) Documents and forms that need to be submitted with an application in order to be

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considered;

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     (3) Timeline for an applicant to receive a response; and

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     (4) Option for an applicant to appeal the recommendation.

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     (c) The commission shall submit the names of those individuals whom they feel have met

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the requirements for a pardon to the governor and shall, per the state constitution, be required to

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submit recommended names that the governor would like to pardon to the state senate for advice

 

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and consent.

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     13-10.1-2. Composition of commission.

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     (a) The commission on pardons shall consist of nine (9) members that would be appointed

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as follows:

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     (1) An appointee of the supreme court chief justice;

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     (2) An appointee of the attorney general;

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     (3) An appointee of the public defender;

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     (4) An appointee of the governor;

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     (5) An appointee of the formerly incarcerated union;

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     (6) An appointee of the reentry campus program;

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     (7) An appointee of the center for justice;

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     (8) An appointee of the Nonviolence Institute; and

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     (9) An appointee of the MUSE Foundation of RI.

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     (b) No more than three (3) member appointees shall be active or retired law enforcement

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officers.

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     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 CRIMINALS -- CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS -- STATE COMMISSION

ON PARDONS

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     This act would establish a nine (9) member commission on pardons to provide

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recommendations to the governor as to who should receive executive pardons per the state

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constitution.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004879

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