2024 -- H 8172

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LC005747

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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 DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- FULL ENFORCEMENT OF SUPPORT

OBLIGATIONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Potter, Henries, Giraldo, Dawson, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: April 12, 2024

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 15-11.1-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 15-11.1 entitled "Full

Enforcement of Support Obligations" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     15-11.1-7. Suspension by board — Notice from board.

     (a) Upon receipt of the certification of noncompliance from the department issued in

accordance with § 15-11.1-6, a board shall:

     (1) When the license subject to suspension or modification is an operator's license pursuant

to § 31-10-1, and when permitted by the CSE system, modify the obligor's license to a "provisional

employment operator's license" which would allow the obligor to operate a motor vehicle only

during the obligor's designated hours of employment; or

     (2) suspend Suspend the obligor’s license and refuse to issue or reissue a license until the

obligor provides the board with a release from the department that states the obligor is in

compliance with the obligor’s support order. When an obligor who is served notice under § 15-

11.1-3 subsequently complies with the court order of support, the department shall within five (5)

business days after compliance provide the obligor with written confirmation and a release that the

obligor is in compliance with the order. A suspension by a board or modification of an operator's

license by the division of motor vehicle or a refusal by a board or the division to reissue, renew, or

otherwise extend the license or certificate of authority shall be deemed a final determination for the

purposes of chapter 35 of title 42.

     (b) For the purposes of this section, a provisional employment operator's license shall mean

an operator's license issued by the division of motor vehicle to an obligor that allows the obligor to

operate a motor vehicle solely during designated hours of employment for the purpose of

transportation relative to employment.

     (b)(c) A The board or division of motor vehicles shall notify an obligor certified by the

department under § 15-11.1-6, without undue delay, that the obligor’s application for the issuance

or renewal of a license may not be granted or that the obligor’s license has been suspended or

modified because the obligor’s name has been certified by the department as a support obligor who

is not in compliance with a court order of support.

     (c)(d) Within five (5) business days of receiving written confirmation that the obligor is in

compliance with the court order of support, the board or division shall reinstate, reissue, renew or

otherwise extend or modify the obligor’s license or certificate of authority.

     (e) The division of motor vehicles is hereby empowered to make any and all rules and

regulations necessary to effectuate the purpose of this section including the creation and design of

the provisional employment operator's license.

     [See § 12-1-15 of the General Laws.]

     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 DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- FULL ENFORCEMENT OF SUPPORT

OBLIGATIONS

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     This act would allow a board to modify an obligor's license to a "Provisional Employment

Operator's License" allowing the obligor the ability to operate a motor vehicle during designated

hours of employment.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005747

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