2024 -- H 7799

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LC003306

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY

PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Representatives Solomon, Bennett, Boylan, Speakman, Casimiro,
Baginski, Cardillo, Casey, Shanley, and Voas

     Date Introduced: February 29, 2024

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-164 of the General Laws entitled "Address Confidentiality

Program" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-164-3.1. Address confidentiality program - Licensed health care providers.

     (a) A person who is a licensed healthcare provider or professional, as defined in § 27-20-

1, who is assaulted in the workplace, may apply to the secretary of state to use the address of the

department of health as the person's substitute address, and may use the substitute address on the

police report relating to the incident. Upon receipt by the secretary of state mail or process for a

program participant, the office of the secretary shall immediately forward all such mail or process

to the appropriate program participant at the address specified by the program participant for that

purpose, and shall record the date of such forwarding.

     (b) The secretary of state shall approve an application if it is filed on the form prescribed

by the secretary of state, signed and dated, containing the following:

     (1) The applicant's statement made under oath, under penalty of perjury, that:

     (i) The applicant is a victim of assault in the workplace;

     (ii) The applicant fears for the applicant's safety:

     (iii) The applicant resides or will reside at a location in this state that is not known by the

person who committed the assault, or poses a threat to the applicant or the applicant's child or ward

with violence or abuse: and

     (iv) The applicant will not disclose his or her actual address to the person who committed

the assault or poses a threat to the applicant or the applicant's child or ward of violence or abuse;

     (2) The actual address that the applicant requests not be disclosed for the reason that

disclosure will increase the risk of assault, violence or abuse;

     (3) If different than the actual address, the preferred mailing address where the applicant

can be contacted by the secretary; and the telephone number or numbers where the applicant can

be called by the secretary; and, if available, the applicant's email address; and

     (4) A designation of the secretary as agent for purposes of service of process and for the

purpose of receipt of mail, with a signed acknowledgement of the following:

     (i) The applicant acknowledges that acceptance into the address confidentiality program

does not relieve the applicant of any legal responsibility, including, without limitation, court

summonses, subpoenas, divorce or child custody orders, and arrest warrants.

     (ii) The applicant acknowledges that failure to promptly notify the secretary of changes to

the applicant's contact information, including address, email address, and telephone number, may

cause a delay in the applicant's receipt of legal documents, including notices of upcoming court

hearings for divorce, child custody, or civil and criminal matters, which may result in negative legal

ramifications for the applicant, including, without limitation, a default for failure to respond.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY

PROGRAM

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     This act would allow a licensed health care provider, who is assaulted in the workplace,

to apply to the secretary of state to use the address of the department of health to serve as the

person's substitute address for all purposes, including on the police report.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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