It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 11-44-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-44 entitled "Trespass and Vandalism" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 11-44-1. Vandalism -- Obstruction of lawful pursuits. -- ADD} (a) Every person who shall wilfully and maliciously or mischievously injure or destroy or write upon, paint, or otherwise deface the property of another, or obstruct the use of the property of another, or obstruct another in the prosecution of his or her lawful business or pursuits, in any manner, the punishment of which is not specifically provided for by statute, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) and/or be imprisoned not exceeding one year and shall be liable to make restitution for the injury or damage caused. {ADD Every person convicted of a first offense under this section shall be required to perform up to one hundred (100) hours of public community service work, and for a second or subsequent conviction shall be required to perform up to two hundred (200) hours of public community service work. ADD}

(b) Where the provisions of "The Domestic Violence Prevention Act", section 12-29-1 et seq., are applicable, the penalties for violation of this section shall also include the penalties as provided in section 12-29-5.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.