2026 -- H 8030

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LC005747

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS

     Introduced By: Representatives McEntee, Spears, O'Brien, and Casey

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-2-3.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-2 entitled "General

Powers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-2-3.3. Background checks.

     (a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, any person

seeking to work or volunteer for a municipal recreation department, or any municipal recreation

department having the written authorization of a person seeking to work or volunteer for the

municipal recreation department, may request a Rhode Island criminal history background check

from their local police department for that person. The Rhode Island criminal history background

check shall be a certified true copy of the criminal record report and shall bear indicia of

authenticity including being printed on local police department letterhead with a raised seal and

bearing the signature of a duly appointed local police officer.

     (b) Further, notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws to the contrary,

any person seeking to work or volunteer for a fire department or fire district located in the town of

Burrillville, or any fire department or fire district having the written authorization of a person

seeking to work or volunteer for the fire department or fire district located in the town of

Burrillville, may request a Rhode Island criminal history background check from the Burrillville

Police Department for that person. The Rhode Island criminal history background check shall be a

certified true copy of the criminal record report and shall bear indicia of authenticity including

being printed on Burrillville Police Department letterhead with a raised seal and bearing the

signature of a duly appointed Burrillville Police Officer.

     (c) Notwithstanding any provisions of the general or public laws to the contrary, any person

seeking to work or volunteer for a fire department or fire district located in the Town of South

Kingstown, including but not limited to the Union Fire District and the Kingston Fire District, shall

undergo a national and state criminal background in accordance with § 45-2-3.4. The applicant

shall apply to the bureau of criminal identification (BCI), department of attorney general, state

police, or the South Kingstown Police Department for a national and state criminal records check.

Fingerprinting shall be required. The applicant shall be responsible for the cost of conducting the

national and state criminal records check. The South Kingstown Police Department may request

and receive the results of such background check for purpose of determining eligibility for services.

     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 TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS

***

     This act would require any person seeking to work or volunteer for a fire department or

fire district in the town of South Kingstown to undergo a national and state criminal background

check conducted by the bureau of criminal identification (BCI), department of attorney general,

state police, or the South Kingstown police department.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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