S0134

	2025 -- S 0134
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	LC000880
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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	A N A C T
	RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- TREATMENT OF
	JUVENILES FOR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY

	Introduced By: Senators Burke, Tikoian, LaMountain, Felag, McKenney, and Appollonio
	Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
	Referred To: Senate Judiciary
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1. Section 14-5-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 14-5 entitled "Treatment of
2	Juveniles for Chemical Dependency" is hereby amended to read as follows:
3	14-5-8. Possession of one ounce (1 oz.) or less of marijuana Possession of two ounces
4	(2 oz.) or less of marijuana.
5	Notwithstanding any public, special, or general law to the contrary, possession of one
6	ounce (1 oz.) two ounces (2 oz.) or less of marijuana, as defined in § 21-28-1.02, by a child under
7	seventeen (17) years of age and who is not exempted from penalties pursuant to chapter 28.6 of
8	title 21, shall constitute a status an offense pursuant to § 14-1-3(11)(vii) and forfeiture of the
9	marijuana. The family court may order a substance-abuse assessment and, if recommended,
10	substance-abuse treatment. The parents or legal guardian of any child under seventeen (17) years
11	of age shall be notified of the offense.
12	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC000880
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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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1	This act would amend the penalty provision for possession of one ounce or less of
2	marijuana by a juvenile in order to conform to current statutory penalties for possession of
3	marijuana offenses promulgated in the Rhode Island cannabis act, allowing for possession of up to
4	two ounces (2 oz.) of marijuana.
5	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC000880
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