2024 -- S 2907

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LC005492

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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 DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- TREATMENT OF

JUVENILES FOR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY

     

     Introduced By: Senator John P. Burke

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (Judiciary)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 14-5-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 14-5 entitled "Treatment of

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Juveniles for Chemical Dependency" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     14-5-8. Possession of one ounce (1 oz.) or less of marijuana Possession of two ounce (2

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oz.) or less of marijuana.

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     Notwithstanding any public, special, or general law to the contrary, possession of one

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ounce two ounces (1 2 oz.) or less of marijuana, as defined in § 21-28-1.02, by a child under

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seventeen (17) years of age and who is not exempted from penalties pursuant to chapter 28.6 of

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title 21, shall constitute a status an offense pursuant to § 14-1-3(11)(vii) and forfeiture of the

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marijuana. The family court may order a substance-abuse assessment and, if recommended,

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substance-abuse treatment. The parents or legal guardian of any child under seventeen (17) years

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of age shall be notified of the offense.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC005492

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- TREATMENT OF

JUVENILES FOR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY

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     This act would amend the penalty provision for possession of one ounce or less of

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marijuana by a juvenile so as to conform to current statutory penalties for possession of marijuana

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offenses promulgated in The Rhode Island cannabis act allowing for possession of up to two (2)

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ounces of marijuana.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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